The O'Dell Press
O'Dell Families,
It was a wonderful first week at O’Dell! A HUGE thank you to our families for your patience and flexibility as we worked through arrival and dismissal during the first few days of school. Each day has run more smoothly, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we continue to establish routines.
With the addition of PreK/ECSE, our top priority is keeping all of Bobcats safe. We appreciate your partnership and cooperation as we follow these procedures.
🚗 Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
PLEASE take a few minutes to read our FAQs and review the arrival and dismissal procedures. These procedures are in place to keep students safe and help traffic move efficiently.
- PreK/ECSE: Arrive and dismiss from the BACK car lane, closest to Carter Ranch.
- During morning arrival, please do not park and walk your child to the door from either the front or back car lane. This creates traffic backups and can create unsafe situations for students crossing the crosswalk.
- Please release your child from the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Do not exit your vehicle during arrival or dismissal. Staff will assist students as needed.
- These safety procedures are not new; they are designed to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal for everyone.
Afternoon Dismissal
- 3rd–4th grade students and 3-4th grade students with younger siblings: Dismiss from the BACK car lane.
- Kindergarten–2nd grade: Dismiss from the FRONT car lane.
- PK–K walkers: Dismiss on the playground side of the fence near the marquee. Students will be released to parents/guardians with a car tag matching their child's number.
- If you are driving from Bluewood, please drive around to enter the dismissal lane closest to Carter Ranch.
- Cars may not cross the front exit during afternoon dismissal.
🚘 Car Tags
PLEASE keep your car tag visible until you EXIT the car lanes. We are entering numbers into our system, and many of our students do not know their numbers yet. Having the number visible helps us quickly identify and remind students where they need to go.
Please practice your child's car tag number with them at home!
We are also adding a permanent backpack tag that will attach securely to your child's backpack and remain in place throughout the school year.
Traffic Flow
- Morning arrival: One lane of traffic in both the front and back car lanes.
- Afternoon dismissal: Two lanes of traffic in the front car lane.
Thank you again for your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we work together to make arrival and dismissal safe, smooth, and efficient for all of our Bobcats!
📚 Parent Orientations This Week
Parent Orientations will take place Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Orientations are for parents/guardians only. This allows us to ensure that families receive important information about their child's grade level, classroom expectations, and the school year ahead.
Please see the information below for your child's specific Parent Orientation.
I wish you all a wonderful full week of school,
Mrs. Phelps
Principal
Child Nutrition - Free and Reduced Lunch Application, Lunch Accounts
A new Free and Reduced form must be filled out and submitted for approval each new school year. Please complete your free and reduced applications in School Cafe here: https://www.schoolcafe.com/CELINAISD.
Applications will start being processed and approved on July 22, 2026. The grace period will end September 27, 2026. Students will revert to paid status if a new free and reduced application is not submitted and approved by the grace period. Parents will be responsible for unpaid meal charges.
New Student Lunch Account: Please have your child bring their lunch or lunch money with them to school on the 1st day, or set up an account prior to the first day of school. Parents can monitor your students' accounts and place restrictions on their meal accounts in the school cafe https://www.schoolcafe.com/CELINAISD.
As a reminder students with a lunch balance from last year will roll over to this year! Please add funds to your child's account before the first day of school.
Want to see your child's name up in LIGHTS?
Celebrate your child’s birthday or half-birthday in lights! For $20.00, your child’s name will be displayed on the O’Dell Elementary marquee for their special day! If your child has a summer birthday, it can be celebrated on their half-birthday (six months prior to the real birthday). Access the link HERE
Kroger Plus Card
Link your Kroger Plus Card to O'Dell Elementary School, and every time you shop, Kroger will donate a portion of sales to our school!
Register for FREE at this link: https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards.
Select O’Dell Elementary School or enter our organization number XU114.
Shop and earn money for our school!!
Mark your Calendars:
- 8/17 - Kindergarten Reveal, 2:00 p.m.
- 8/17 - Kindergarten Parent Orientation (PARENTS ONLY) - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Cafeteria)
- 8/17 - 1st Grade Orientation (PARENTS ONLY) - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Gym)
- 8/18 - 2nd Grade Orientation (PARENTS ONLY) - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Cafeteria)
- 8/18 - 3rd Grade Orientation (PARENTS ONLY) - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Gym)
- 8/19 - 4th Grade Orientation (PARENTS ONLY) - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Cafeteria)
- 8.19 - PTA Fundraiser - Voodoo 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- 8/26 - Bahama Bucks Spirit Night 3:00-9:30 p.m.
- 8/27 - House BASH Color Blast - 2:15 p.m.
- 9/7 - Labor Day Holiday - No School for Staff and Students
- 9/7 - 9/11 - College Week
- 9/18 - Student Holiday/Teacher Inservice