Bothwell Buzz
July 31, 2026
Dear Bothwell Families,
The countdown is on! We are so excited to welcome our Bobcats back for an amazing school year, with the first day of school on Wednesday, August 12th!
As we prepare for a fantastic start, we encourage you to check the Bothwell Buzz and our Facebook page each week for important updates, reminders, and information. To make it easy to find what's new, each newsletter will be organized with new information at the top, while previously shared information will remain below the heading "Previously Shared." This way, you can quickly catch up on the latest updates while still having easy access to important information from previous weeks.
This week's focus is getting familiar with our carpool procedures. A smooth and safe arrival and dismissal is a team effort, and we will continue sharing reminders and tips over the next few weeks to help everyone feel prepared.
If you haven't already, we encourage you to drive by the school with your child and build some excitement for the year ahead! Seeing the campus and talking about all the fun that awaits is a great way to help ease first-day jitters and get everyone ready for an incredible year.
We can't wait to welcome our students and staff back to Bothwell. Thank you for partnering with us as we prepare for another wonderful year of learning, growth, and community. It's going to be an amazing year together!
All the BESt,
Kristen Aune
Principal
Bothwell ES
Meet the Teacher - August 10th
Arrival, Dismissal and Traffic Procedures
Arrival Procedures: 7:25-7:40
The doors will open at 7:25. Students will go straight to their classroom.
If students need to eat breakfast on campus, they can go straight to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Students will be marked tardy if they are not in their classroom at 7:45.
CAR RIDERS
Car riders will be dropped off at the front of the school on Coventry Dr., the west-side of the school building, as noted on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. Staff members will supervise students as they get out of their car. We will run a single line in the mornings to ensure students are stepping up on the curb with an adult. Please encourage your child to take off his/her seat belt and open the car door. We want to encourage independence. Students will exit on the passenger side of the car. A staff member will be available to help open the car door if needed. Parents should not exit their car in the carpool line. For your child's safety, never allow your child out of the car without a staff member present.
Do not pass any cars in the parking lot that might still be unloading. We will motion to you when it is clear to move forward. This allows the staff to ensure the driveway is clear. When leaving campus, cars will turn right on Coventry Drive.
WALKERS AND BIKE RIDERS
Students will enter through the west-side of the building as noted on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. All walkers and bikers MUST cross ONLY at the school entry on Coventry Drive. Please remind your child to look for passing cars. When the bike riders are on campus, they need to walk their bike. All bikes need to be placed on the bike racks in the front of the school.
BUS RIDERS
Bus riders will be dropped off at the back of the school on Huddleston, the east side of the school building, as noted on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. Staff members will supervise students as they get off of the bus and enter the school building.
Dismissal Procedures - 3:05
All students will exit through the assigned locations as designated on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. All dismissal changes must be communicated to the teacher prior to 2:00 PM.
CAR RIDERS
Car riders will be picked up in the front of the school on Coventry Dr., the west side of the school building, as noted on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. We will run a double line in the afternoons. Staff members will walk students to their car. Parents should not exit their car in the carpool line. When leaving campus, cars will need to turn right on Coventry Drive.
If your child needs assistance buckling their car seat, please pull forward to the Buckle Zone by the gate before helping them. We ask that you make this a quick stop so we can keep the car line moving safely and efficiently for all families.
WALKERS AND BIKE RIDERS
Walkers will exit the front of the school on Coventry Dr. Bike riders will leave from the front of the school on Coventry Dr as noted on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. When the bike riders are on campus, they need to walk their bike. Please remind your child to use the crosswalk and look for passing cars.
If you are meeting your walkers/bike riders, please meet them off campus. Staff members will walk the students to the corner of Coventry and across the street to the gazebo. If you are on the Bothwell Side of Coventry, please stand near the fence that runs along Coventry. If you are on the opposite side of Coventry, please meet your child at the gazebo.
BUS RIDERS
Bus riders will be picked up at the back of the school on Huddleston, the east side of the school building, as noted on the Arrival and Dismissal Map. Staff members will supervise students as they exit the building and load the bus.
Transportation Information
Bus route details, including pick-up and drop-off times and locations, will be available beginning August 10th in Skyward Family Access under the Transportation tile.
Please visit the Celina ISD Transportation Department's web page to help answer all questions regarding the school bus riding experience at this website address: https://www.celinaisd.com/our-departments/transportation
Meet the Bobcats - August 8th
Come see the Bothwell PTA at Meet the Bobcats on August 8th.
Previously Shared Information
School Supplies
If you did not pre-order school supplies through the EPI school supply kits that were available in May and June, we wanted to make sure you have access to this year's school supply list so you can be prepared for the start of school in August. Purchasing supplies ahead of time helps ensure your child has everything they need for a successful first day. We are excited to welcome our Bobcats back soon and can't wait to begin another incredible year of learning, growing, and making memories together!
Here are the lists for Bothwell School Supplies for 26-27.
School Supplies Update for Kindergarten and First Grade
As you prepare for the new school year and begin purchasing school supplies, we wanted to share an important update regarding headphones for our kindergarten and first grade students. Our new classroom technology requires USB-C headphones rather than the traditional headphones with a standard headphone jack.
If you purchased the pre-order school supply pack through EPI, there is nothing you need to do. EPI will provide the correct USB-C headphones in your child's supply pack. If you are purchasing school supplies on your own, please be sure to purchase headphones with a USB-C connector so your child will be ready for the first day of school.
Bothwell Save the Dates
Free and Reduced Meals
Please complete your free and reduced applications in School Cafe.
https://www.schoolcafe.com/CELINAISD
Applications will start being processed and approved in August. The grace period will end September 20, 2026.
If you had a balance last year, the balance will roll over to this year, so please add funds to your child's account before the first day of school. If your student is new and does not have a school cafe account, please have them bring lunch or lunch money with them to school or set up an account prior to the first day of school.
You can monitor your students' accounts and place restrictions on their meal accounts in the school cafe.
Kroger Community Rewards
Kroger
Bothwell Elementary School is enrolled into the Kroger Community Rewards Program.
To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program:
Simply visit http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into your Kroger account you can search for BOTHWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL either by name or DU641 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to your organization.
*If a member does not yet have a Kroger rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger
REMEMBER, purchases will not count for Bothwell until after register your rewards card.
Participants must swipe their registered Kroger rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.
Please click on Counselor's Corner for a message from our counselor, Mrs. Ragland.