WMES Parent and Student Handbook 2026/2027

Our Vision at Woodward Mill Elementary is to provide opportunities for all students to succeed to their fullest potential by enlisting combined support of teachers, parents, and community.

Our Mission at Woodward Mill Elementary is to achieve academic and social excellence through quality instruction that promotes lifelong learning.

Our Goals at Woodward Mill Elementary are:

• To provide a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment.
• To maintain high expectations for student achievement academically and socially.
• To implement innovative teaching strategies throughout the curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• To integrate technology throughout the curriculum.
• To instill positive character development.

All students entering school for the first time in kindergarten or first grade must present a certified copy of their birth certificate at the time of registration. Children must be five years old on or before September 1 to enroll in the kindergarten program and six years old on or before September 1 to enroll in the first grade program. This is Georgia State Law. To alter a child's birth certificate in any way is considered a felony in the state of Georgia.

Immunization Certificates

Before official enrollment, all students enrolling in a Georgia school must provide a valid Georgia Immunization Certificate #3231. This certificate may be secured from a local physician and/or the county health department.

Hearing, Vision, Nutrition, and Dental Certificates

All students entering school for the first time in kindergarten or first grade must present a certificate of ear, eye, nutrition, and dental examination on an official Georgia Health Department Human Resources Certificate #3300, which may be secured from a physician, a dentist licensed by the state of Georgia and/or the county health department.

Proof of Residency

Parents/primary legal guardians who live within the Gwinnett County Public School District may send their children to a Gwinnett County School. The school will require a lease agreement signed and notarized by the leasing agent or a mortgage agreement from the bank, and the most recent utility bill (electric or water) to verify residency. School officials will require the parent or guardian to provide proof of residency in the district and attendance zone at the time a student is initially enrolled in a school. 

Out of Attendance Zone

If a student lives outside the Woodward Mill attendance zone, he or she must have a Permissive Transfer Form signed by the principal or his/her designee to attend Woodward Mill Elementary School. If permission is granted, the parent must provide the transportation for his or her child. The school system will not provide bus transportation for an out-of-attendance-zone student, nor can a child be taken to a bus stop that provides transportation for Woodward Mill students for transportation to or from school. Students must be dropped off by 8:15am and picked up through a car rider for dismissal by 3:15pm. Morning car rider ends at 8:15, and afternoon car rider end at 3:15.  If this cannot be accomplished, the student's eligibility to attend Woodward Mill may be revoked.
 

Letter to Families

The Woodward Mill PTA Executive Board would like to welcome you to an exciting new school year. The 2026-2027 school year is off to a great start. Woodward Mill is welcoming many new students, staff and PA Board members and volunteers.

This may be a year of "firsts" for you and your child. It may be your child's first year at Woodward Mill, as a Kindergartner or a new student. As a parent, it may be your first time joining a Parent Teacher Association. We would like to welcome you to become involved in the PTA organization. This is an invaluable way to enrich your child's educational experience at Woodward Mill Elementary. Through your PTA membership, you may receive many community and school benefits, and your children will be enriched through academic and social events sponsored by the PTA.

If this is your last year involved at Woodward Mill Elementary, let us make it a year to remember! The children take pride in the arts and education programs in which they participate. They look forward to the fun family events throughout the year. Your involvement only enhances that experience and teaches the children the value of serving their community.

As parents and faculty, we challenge our children and students throughout the school year to take their academics a step further. Let us take that same challenge. You could become a PTA member, join a PTA committee, become involved in your child's classroom, help at a school function, or assist in fundraising efforts. No effort is too small!

The following pages list the many PTA programs offered at Woodward Mill. Please take a moment to review these or contact a PTA Board Member to see how you can become involved. So, whether this may be a year of "firsts" for you at Woodward Mill, a year of "lasts" or even if your children have several more years at Woodward Mill, let us make this a memorable year at Woodward Mill Elementary!

President: Lila Umana & Tammy Bui

Vice President: None

Secretary: DeAndrea Linton

Treasurer: Brittany Bowen
 

PTA Mission and Objectives

To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

PTA values the following: 

• Collaboration: We will work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and families.
• Commitment: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.
• Diversity: We acknowledge the potential of everyone without regard, including but not limited to: age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.
• Respect: We value the individual contributions of members, employees, volunteers, and partners as we work collaboratively to achieve our association’s goals.
• Accountability: All members, employees, volunteers, and partners have a shared responsibility to align their efforts toward the achievement of our association’s strategic initiatives.

Throughout the school year there are many programs provided by your PTA. These could not happen without the help of parent volunteers. All committees need a chairperson to coordinate committee activities, as well as dedicated committee members. Please consider chairing a committee or co-chairing with a friend. Make this a memorable year for all!

Possible examples of programs and committees needed for those events may include:

• Bear Scare: Annual Fall Festival offering dinner, trick or treating, and games.
• Bingo Night: Bingo Night with refreshments.
• Daddy-Daughter Dance Event: The Event for Every Princess! This event is sure to please all who attend, usually held in February.
• Fundraising: Be a part of the team responsible for the spring fundraising campaign. This fundraiser provides the monies used to support a year’s work of school-wide programs and activities.
• Membership: Promote 100% membership in Woodward Mill PTA through membership registration tables and school-wide membership drive.
• Mom-Son Event: This special event is planned with our busy little men in mind. This event usually takes place in November.
• PTA Newsletter: Gather and edit PTA and school information to include in The Cub Corner.
• Reflection: Annual PTA arts competition.
• Room Representative: Communicate PTA and school information to the Room Representatives, support them in their needs and suggest classroom activities throughout the year.
• Spirit Night Coordinator: Coordinator to foster business partnerships and donations.
• Spirit Wear: This committee promotes school spirit of selecting, ordering and selling spirit wear at Woodward Mill events.
• Teacher and Staff Appreciation: Celebrate the teachers and staff of Woodward Mill through special events, recognition, and luncheons.
• Website Coordinator: Handle PTA specific website design and information.
• Yearbook: Coordinate and produce the annual school yearbook.

Many of these committees are currently looking for a chairperson or co-chairpersons. Your PTA involvement is an important factor in the quality education your children receive at Woodward Mill. If you are interested in filling one of these positions, please email woodwardmillpta@yahoo.com.
 

Attendance at school is an important part of student success and achievement. A pattern of absences may put a student at risk of not achieving the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) for their grade level and courses. Certain absences are considered to be excused according to state guidelines.

Excused absences and tardies include:

• Personal illness or attendance in school endangering a student's health or the health of others
• A serious illness or death in a student's immediate family requiring absence from school
• A court order or an order by a governmental agency, including pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces, mandating absence from school
• Observing religious holidays, necessitating absence from school
• Conditions making attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety
• Serving as a page in the Georgia General Assembly

Please provide a written note, email or ParentSquare message, to your child's teacher on the day your child returns to school. The note, email or ParentSquare message, should include the date of absence and reason for the absence. Should the reason be one noted above, your child's absence will be marked excused. If your child was seen by a physician, please provide a note from their office. After 10 parent notes, a doctor's note will be requested to excuse any further absences. Should a student accumulate five or more unexcused absences, an Attendance Letter will be mailed notifying the parent/guardian. Continued absences or tardies may result in the need for a SARC (Student Attendance Review Committee) Meeting, in which the counselor, parent, teacher, and social worker will work to ensure your child’s school attendance improves. A SARC Meeting may also be scheduled for other attendance issues (i.e. excessive tardies, excessive check- outs, or excessive excused absences).
The state truancy law (O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-690.2) defines truant as "any child subject to compulsory school attendance who during the school calendar year has more than five days of unexcused absences." 

It is important for parents to be aware of attendance requirements. Please read Gwinnett County Public Schools' Student/Parent Handbook (Attendance Policies and Procedures - Gwinnett County Public Schools), which outlines attendance expectations. In addition, our teachers and school leadership will communicate with you regularly on school attendance issues.
 

Students may arrive at the school no earlier than 7:45 a.m. Prior to that time, staff members are unavailable to supervise students. A bell will ring at 7:45 a.m. signaling that students may enter the building. If you should arrive before the bell has rung, your child must stay in the car with you. The 7:45 a.m. bell signals the time students may exit their car at the car rider drop off area on the side of the building. If your child walks or rides a bike to school, please make sure he/she leaves the house and arrives at school no earlier than 7:45 a.m. For the safety of your child, please use the entrance off Azalea Drive to enter the car rider line and only drop students off at the car rider curb directly by the cafeteria entrance. Do not drop your child off in the parking lot to walk to the sidewalk. For student purposes, car riders are not allowed to cut through the parking lanes but should stay in the car rider lane that follows around the side of the parking lot. Staff assistance for car riders ends at 8:15 a.m. Please arrive early enough to allow your child to be on time.

Parents who arrive after 8:15 a.m. will be asked to park in a parking space and walk their child into the school using the main front entrance. When students arrive late, they are missing valuable instructional time. This impacts the entire class when the teacher has to stop instruction to welcome the tardy student. If your child is late due to a doctor's appointment, please provide a note from their office to the front desk upon arrival.
 

Awards will be presented each semester for students in Kindergarten through Fifth grades.
The awards and criteria are listed below:

• Principal’s Honor Roll: This award recognizes superior performance in both academics and behavior. Students must earn “90%” (2nd – 5th grades) or “E” (Kindergarten and 1st grade) in all academic areas to receive this award. Students must also earn “S” or “E” in all Special Area classes, conduct, and work habits.
• A/B Honor Roll: This award recognizes excellence in both academics and behavior. Students in grades 2 through 5 must earn a combination of A and B grades in all academic areas to receive this award (to receive this award students MUST have at least one A). Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade must have a combination of “S” and “E” in all academic areas (to receive this award students MUST have at least one “E”). In addition, students must also earn “S” or “E” in all Special Area classes, conduct, and work habits.
• Citizenship Award: This award recognizes students who consistently demonstrate characteristics of good citizenship. These are students who cooperate with others, show respect for adults and their classmates, are well behaved, and display responsibility. Each class may select a maximum of five students to earn this award.
• Perfect Attendance: This award recognizes students who are present every day of school with no absences each 9 weeks. Students should not have any tardies or early checkouts.
   

Students are required to have their backpacks daily. Backpacks should be brought even on field days, field trips, class party days, and especially the last days of school. A student without a bookbag means they do not have a transportation tag to ensure correct transportation at the end of the day. Transportation tags should never be removed. Due to safety concerns in classrooms, hallways, and stairwells, students are strongly encouraged to only use backpacks without wheels. Rolling backpacks are not recommended.

We greatly appreciate parent cooperation and support in the area of behavior management. The most important aspect is guiding students to take responsibility for their choices and actions and helping them to act in an appropriate and respectful manner at all times.

• Cluster Motto: "Expect Excellence in Everything"
• School Motto: "Family. Community, Achievement"

Consequences for Major Behavior Incident:

If a student exhibits a major behavior, they will be referred to a school administrator. An administrator will investigate and determine the appropriate consequence(s), which may include a discipline referral. Parents will be notified.

Examples of “Major Behavior Incidents” may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Defiance/Disruption - teaching and learning interrupted or stopped
• Teasing
• Physical Aggression (including hitting, pushing, slapping, pinching, grabbing, punching, kicking, fighting, and similar behavior that may injure others)
• Harassment (racial, ethnic, or sexual name calling or other severe harassment)
• Threats (verbal or written)
• Major Property damage
• Bullying
• Stealing
• Bringing a weapon to school
• Elopement from classroom or school (leaving classroom or school property without permission)
• Verbal Aggression (on-going name-calling, insulting, or other behavior that would hurt others’ feelings or make them feel bad about themselves) or Systemic Exclusion (including telling others to exclude someone and starting rumors)
• Inappropriate language

Local school administrators have broad discretion to determine consequences for student misconduct at the local school level. The range of consequences for misconduct that can be assigned by a local school administrator may include, without limitation, student conference, parent conference, before or after school detention, in-school suspension, Saturday School, out-of-school suspension up to ten days, referral to a Student Disciplinary Panel Hearing which may result in long term suspension or expulsion and, depending upon the severity of the offense, safety, and School Resource Officer (SRO) may be contacted for referral to law enforcement officials.

Student Code of Ethics - Guidelines for student behavior:

• I will be honest in my statements and actions.
• I will respect myself, the school staff, and fellow students.
• I will respect the beliefs of others.
• I will display good conduct and sportsmanship at school, on the bus, and at all school activities.
• I will respect the property of others.
• I will work to the best of my ability.
• I will use criticism in a helpful manner.
• I will promote school cleanliness and the upkeep of school property.
• I will make substitute teachers and visitors feel welcome.
• I will support school activities.

Student Conduct Behavior Code - The following rules apply when you are:

• On the school grounds;
• Off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event;
• En route to and from school; or
• Off the school grounds while you are in attendance at any school function, or are otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of school authorities.

1. Each student will not interrupt learning and teaching.
2. Each student will not damage or attempt to damage or take or attempt to take the property of the school.
3. Each student will not damage or attempt to damage or take or attempt to take the personal property of others.
4. Each student will not bully, hit, kick, bite, bump, push, pull hair, pinch, hurt, or use disrespectful language with staff (administrators, teachers, bus drivers, etc.), students, or any other person employed by the school.
5. Each student will not possess or use weapons, whether assembled or disassembled (including toy guns, knives,
6. firecrackers, etc.) whether toy, operational or not operational. If a person could reasonably perceive the object to be threatening, or if the object is a destructive device, it is considered a weapon.
7. Each student will not possess, use or distribute alcohol or drugs or any substances that represent to be alcohol or drugs.
8. Each student will not disobey directions or commands of teachers, principals, bus drivers, or other school employees.
9. Each student will not touch himself, herself, or others inappropriately including private areas of the body.
10. Each student will not miss school or class without an excused absence.
11. Each student will not exhibit unsafe and/or inappropriate conduct at any time.
12. Severe or repeated violations of school rules may result in parental conference, suspension, and/or discipline review committee meeting.
13. Each student will not engage in any cheating or plagiarism of any type. Each student will produce his or her own original school work including projects (group & individual), reports, and presentations and must cite outside resources that are used.

Academic Integrity

Gwinnett County Public Schools is committed to becoming a system of world-class schools where students acquire the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and careers. Guided by our mission to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, we hold high expectations for all, recognizing that excellence is not exclusive, but an achievable goal for every learner. Central to achieving that goal are the principles of integrity, respect, and accountability in all learning environments. By embracing these principles, our students contribute to a culture of trust and high standards that prepares them to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world. 

The celebration of student birthdays is optional and may be observed using the following protocol:

• Due to some classrooms having students with food allergies, all snacks must be approved by the teacher before being dropped off or sent into school. Be aware that snacks may be limited depending on any allergies in the classroom.
• All snacks must be store bought and individually wrapped. If a snack is brought in that does not follow this protocol, the parent will be notified, and the snack will be sent back home at the end of the school day. 

Parents are asked to bring the snack to the office first thing in the morning so that the classroom teacher can adjust his/her schedule accordingly.

Items that are not allowed: 

• Birthday favors, including bags or any other type of containers filled with items
• Gifts for the student(s)
• Balloons

Birthday party invitations may be brought to school and the teacher will distribute them provided that there is an invitation for EACH student in the class. Please message your teacher to find out how many students are currently in the class.

Please see our birthday packages on our website and MyPaymentsPlus (Birthday Packages).
 

In the morning and afternoon, our school buses always have “right of way” when arriving and leaving school grounds. Please do not pull into or park in the bus lanes during arrival/dismissal. This is in direct violation of Georgia Law.

We encourage parents to meet their child at the bus stop in the afternoon. GCPS Transportation requires that kindergarten and first grade students must be released to a parent or another individual who has permission to receive the student. If there is not a parent or authorized person at the bus stop to receive a kindergarten or first grade student, the student will be returned to the school. [Please see page 16 regarding “Late Pickup/Returning Students.”] If parents would like anyone added to their release list, GCPS Transportation must have the person’s name in writing. Parents must provide documentation to the bus driver and also notify the school.

We strongly encourage students to either eat a well-balanced, hot lunch in the cafeteria or to bring their own lunch.

We appreciate parental assistance in reminding students to bring breakfast/lunch money and for frequently checking with your child/children and also your MyPaymentsPlus account when additional payments are needed. The district has adopted a policy which governs student charges. Only two charges are permitted. After two charges, students will not be permitted additional charges. However, our cafeteria will provide the student with an alternate lunch. Notices are sent weekly to parents of students with a balance of $2.50 or less. Please call the Lunchroom Manager, Paola Mora–Velez, if you have a question about your child's cafeteria charges. The phone number is 678-407-7829.

Due to congestion on Buford Drive, we encourage you to allow your child to ride the school bus. If your child must be a car rider, please have patience. The process is lengthy, and we suggest that you allow enough time in your schedule to accommodate the wait. Parents are required to use the side parking lot for student drop off and student pick up. The front entrance bus lanes and circle are only to be used by GCPS buses. Students are not to be dropped off in either of these two areas. During the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. and 2:25 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., there is no left turn onto Azalea Dr. due to congestion. Thank you for your assistance as we work to secure the safety of our students, parents, and staff.

Car Rider Arrival Instructions

Arrival Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

• Please use the entrance off Azalea Drive to enter the car rider line for student drop off and pick up.
• The front parking lot and bus lanes are only to be used by GCPS buses and other authorized day care providers. Students should not be dropped off in either of these two areas.
• Students should be dropped off in the car rider lane no earlier than 7:45 a.m. There is no adult supervision for students before this time. Car rider lane stops at 8:15 a.m.
• For the safety of all students, we kindly ask that all cell phone use be discontinued upon entering the car rider lane.
• Please have your child prepared to exit the vehicle once stopped and inside the unloading zone. Book bags, lunch boxes, and other items need to be in your child's hands or secured in his/her backpack.
• Goodbye hugs and kisses need to take place BEFORE entering the unloading zone! This will help keep our arrival process running smoothly and safely.
• Once inside the unloading zone and after coming to a complete stop, your child is to exit your vehicle on the right hand side on his/her own and then shut the door to your vehicle.

• Car Rider Duty personnel will be standing along the unloading zone should an emergency arise. However, it will be up to your child to open and close the vehicle door. Please do not get out of your car to help your child in or out of the car.

  Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. must be walked into the building by an adult. Cars will be directed to the front entrance after 8:15 a.m. Any adult entering the building will be asked to show their ID upon ringing the doorbell.
• Please note there is no left turn between 7:45 a.m. - 8:25 a.m. and 2:25 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. This is for the safety of parents and students.
• In the case of inclement weather, staff may be asked to come inside the building and car riders will be moved to the front of the building.

Car Rider Dismissal Instructions

Dismissal Hours: 2:40 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

• School dismissal is at 2:40 p.m. Car riders must be picked up before 3:15 p.m. At 3:15 p.m., car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact/pick up.
• For the safety of all students, we kindly ask that cell phone use be discontinued upon entering the car rider lane.
• Please have your assigned car rider tag hanging from your rear view mirror during the entire car rider line so it is clearly visible to staff.
• Each number will be communicated into the building where the car rider students will be seated awaiting their number to be announced.
• Please discuss with your child the number assigned to you and have your child ready to "respond" and move to the loading zone when his/her number is called.
• Once all vehicles are inside the loading zone and are stopped, your child/children will be directed to proceed to your vehicle and open the door.
• Car Rider Duty personnel will be standing along the loading zone should an emergency arise. Just as in the morning, it will be your child's responsibility to open and close your vehicle door. Please do not get out of your car to help your child in or out of the car.
• Please note there is no left turn between 7:45 a.m. - 8:25 a.m. and 2:25 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. This is for the safety of parents and students.

To ensure we have the most current information for your child’s safety, we ask that all parents/guardians update their contact details as needed. If you have recently changed your phone number, address, email, or emergency contact information, please log into your ParentVUE account to make these updates.

Important Notes Regarding Change of Address:

• If your address has changed, please upload the following verification documents via ParentVUE:
• An utility bill (water or electric)
• An official lease/mortgage statement (for address verification)

Ensuring your contact information is up to date is vital to maintaining effective communication, especially in case of an emergency.

All students must be checked out through the office prior to 2:15 p.m. Adults must present ID and be listed as an approved contact that the student can be released to (this is designated by the enrolling parent during registration) in order to check out a student. If the adult checking out the student has not been designated to be released to, then the student will be unable to be checked out by that adult. (The “released to” contacts can be updated online via ParentVUE.) Our instructional day does not end until 2:40 p.m. Please be mindful that numerous checkouts can be disruptive to the learning environment. Students checked out early miss important Gwinnett County Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) instruction, as well as critical directions to prepare them for the next day. We encourage all parents to support our academic program by not checking out students early. For the safety of your child, teachers have been instructed to never release students directly to parents at any time.

For the 2026-2027 school year, students will be issued a GCPS Chromebook for instructional use. 

By accepting this Chromebook, parents/guardians and student(s) agree to the following:

• My student and I agree to protect the Chromebook when not in use, by placing it in the classroom cart or in their bookbag at home. Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will use the laptop bag to transport the device safely.
• This Chromebook is the property of Gwinnett County Public Schools and is on loan to any child for the purpose of accessing school resources.
• My student and I understand that we are expected to return this Chromebook in clean, proper working order on the last school day or when/if my family moves from Woodward’s Mill zone, whichever comes first.
• My student and I understand that we are responsible for the care of this Chromebook, and we will take precautions to keep the equipment in good working condition. No one will eat or drink near the Chromebook.
• My student will not place stickers on the Chromebook or peel their name labels off the device.
• My student and I accept responsibility for the care of this equipment, up to and including the cost of this equipment if it is damaged due to negligence. 
• My student and I will not let anyone other than the student use the Chromebook, nor will we share GCPS usernames and/or passwords with anyone.
• My student and I understand that any files saved on the computer will be for the purpose of learning related to my role as a student with GCPS. Therefore, my student and I will follow the appropriate policies and procedures related to technology use within GCPS.
• My student and I will follow the Student Conduct Behavior Code and Responsible Use of Technology and Electronic Media found in the GCPS Handbook when using the Chromebook at school and at home.
• My student and I understand that if their Chromebook is lost or damaged beyond repair, a $200 fee will be assessed. All other damage will be $25. All applicable charges will be posted and payable through MyPaymentsPlus. Please visit the GCPS website for more information.

Woodward Mill will have a clinic worker assigned to the Clinic. She/he will administer minor first aid and administer over the counter, prescription, and emergency medications following district guidelines, policies, and procedures. The clinic worker will contact parents to pick up ill students. Please indicate on enrollment documents any special circumstances you wish to make the clinic worker aware of concerning the health of your child. If your child has a fever, you will be notified. If he/she has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, your child must be sent home. The county policy also requires that students be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school. Although our clinic worker is full time, she/he may not take responsibility for evaluating signs of illness or injury that have occurred at home. A child who has been vomiting should remain home until they are symptom free for 24 hours. If a child becomes ill during school hours, parents are expected to arrange to have the child picked up from school as soon as possible. Parents without transportation, and working parents, should prepare for this possibility early in the school year. Please inform the school of any medical problems. Phone numbers (home, work, and cell) must be kept up-to-date in the event we need to reach you in an emergency concerning your child.

Communicable and Infectious Diseases

Rules for Control: Children having a contagious or infectious disease should not return to school unless cleared by the school clinic worker or accompanied by a note from the family physician. The school clinic worker reserves the right to make the final decision on any questionable cases. Parents of students who will be out for three days or more should contact the school clinic worker to discuss the child's return to school. The following conditions should be considered communicable: Lice (Pediculosis), Chicken Pox (varicella), Strep Throat, Ringworm, Scabies, Measles (Rubella), German Measles, Mumps, Meningitis, Poliomyelitis, Scarlet Fever, Hepatitis, Mononucleosis, Worms or Parasites, Impetigo or staph infection; Whooping Cough (Pertussis), H1N1, or COVID-19. Parents should notify the school if their child has been affected by any of these for advice on readmission to class.

Medication

If your child requires administration of a daily medication, the medication must be brought to the school by an adult in the original container with a prescription that provides the time the medication should be administered. An Administration of Medication Form will be completed by the parent authorizing the clinic worker to administer the medication and the instructions should match the prescription label. An Administration of Medication Form is also required to administer emergency medications for specified known problems, such as a bee sting or allergies. Daily or emergency medications will not be administered to students in the absence of these required authorizations. Notes from parents will not suffice. "Over the counter" medications are only dispensed from the clinic if a parent provides the medication and with the completion of an Administration of Medication Form.  The form must match the instruction on the bottle and medication must be in the original container.   Parents must bring these types of medications to the school. Students are not permitted to transport medication.

Special Diet/Food Allergies

In order to substitute juice/water for milk as part of the regular daily diet, a note from your physician indicating a medical reason is required. Other special diets should be provided from home.
 

If inclement weather causes school to be cancelled or dismissed early, public announcements will be made on GCPS Television, school messenger via phone call or text, on the school system's website (www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us) and via metro-Atlanta radio and television stations. Full-day cancellations usually are announced by 6:00 a.m. WSB-TV Channel 2 or WSB 750am will most likely be the first to announce school closings and/or delays.
 

WMES will use ParentSquare and email correspondence to send reminders of upcoming school events and/or alerts to any school changes, updates or closings. The school publishes a weekly newsletter, The Cub Corner, every Friday.
 

To ensure the safety and security of our school community, we ask that all parents/guests sign in at the front office. All guests must obtain a visitor badge by dropping their ID into the black Raptor scanner located in the vestibule. Once your ID has been scanned you will be buzzed into the main lobby to receive a name badge that must be worn at all times in the building.

If your child will be attending any daycare please make sure you have made the appropriate arrangements with that daycare office. WMES is not responsible for any type of daycare registration.

The first dismissal bell rings at 2:40 p.m. to release car riders and daycare students. Students riding a GCPS bus will be dismissed from the doors in the front of the building. Car riders, Walkers, and Daycare riders will be dismissed from the exit doors near the cafeteria.
 

All students are expected to dress appropriately for school. Any appearance, which distracts from a proper learning environment, is considered inappropriate. Clothing advertising drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and/or depicting violence is not permissible. Students are not permitted to wear halter tops, tops that show midriff, torn jeans, or short shorts. No hats, bandannas, or hoods are to be worn in the building unless it is a planned school activity or fundraising event. For safety reasons, roller shoes (i.e. Heelys) are not permitted. Shirts and pants/jeans should fit properly so that inappropriate exposure does not occur. Please note, sandals are not recommended at school due to frequent accidents and injuries on the playground and in physical education class. When inappropriate clothing is worn, parents will be called to provide appropriate dress. We believe a consistent dress code will result in higher achievement and ensure a safe and positive learning climate. We have designated each Friday as Spirit Day. Students are encouraged to wear their school spirit wear on these days.

Adults wanting to drop off items for students will be asked to label them with the student’s name and teacher’s name, then send a message to the teacher that the item(s) have been dropped off. Please leave items inside the vestibule on the designated table. Parents may not drop off fast food for students to pick up at the front office. Any lunch that is dropped off must be in a lunch box. Lunch in fast food packaging will not be accepted. Please note that front office staff may not be able to deliver food or call students to pick it up, as they can't leave the front office unattended. Because of this, we can't guarantee that students will get their food in time for lunch.
 

Students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. on the four Early Release days (click on the following link: 2026-2027 calendar for dates) for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Electronic Devices should be turned off and away for the day. However, the BOE prohibits the use by a student of any personal electronic communications device during school hours or on a school bus. The local school principal may set forth rules pertaining to student possession and use (O.C.G.A. 20-2-1183). We do not permit students to make or receive phone calls during the day, as this distracts from the learning environment. All student phones should be turned off and kept in the child’s bookbag. Students will be expected to follow this protocol from the beginning of the school day until the bell rings signaling the end of the school day. 

HB 340 - VIOLATIONS AND IMPROPER USE

Any Student who violates these policies and procedures during the school day shall be subject to progressive disciplinary measures in line with the student code of conduct established by the district or local school.
 

Each grade level may participate in trips which are linked to classroom learning and the curriculum. Expenses (if applicable) are requested to cover class sponsored field study trips. Any expenses for field trips will be paid on MyPaymentsPlus. No child is denied the opportunity to participate for not being able to contribute toward the trip cost. However, if sufficient funds are not collected, it may be necessary to cancel a planned Field Trip.

Home study is essential to each student's educational program. Parents are advised to plan and supervise daily study time at home. Homework is an extension of the learning process meant to reinforce skills that have been taught in class. It is a way to keep parents informed and involved with the child's school work, along with being a method of helping students establish self-discipline and study skills.
Assignments may be brief or may include a project requiring some out of school work.

Suggested Homework Guidelines Are:

• First Grade - 10-20 minutes
• Second Grade - 20-30 minutes
• Third Grade - 30-40 minutes;
• Fourth Grade - 40-50 minutes
• Fifth Grade - 50-60 minutes. 
• It is the student's responsibility to remember to take all necessary items home. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the building after school to retrieve books, homework, etc.

Students may purchase ice cream for $1.00 on Tuesdays and Fridays in the cafeteria. This treat will be eaten during lunch after students have had enough time to finish their meal. The front office cannot accept forgotten ice cream money or call students out of class to pick it up, as it causes disruptions and possible security issues. Please make sure your child has their ice cream money before coming to school. If they forget, they can buy ice cream on the next ice cream day.

At Woodward Mill, the Internet is used for academic purposes only. Students may go to sites designated by the teacher and are responsible for following the teacher's instructions. Failure to use the Internet properly may result in the loss of Internet privileges and discipline consequences.

Gwinnett County has the following policy for students returned on the bus because no one is at the bus stop to receive the student or were not picked up on time as a car rider:

• First Incident: School manages the situation by contacting parent(s), guardian, or emergency contact for pick up.
• Second Incident: School manages the situation by contacting the parent(s), guardian or emergency contacts for pickup. The School will then report the incidents to Gwinnett County’s Safety and Security office no later than the following morning of the second incident. School’s SRO (School Resource Officer) will follow up, make contact and explain that DFACS (Department Family and Children Services) will be contacted the next time the student is left or returned to the school.
• Third Incident: Principal or designee will call DFACS (Department Family and Children Services) and make a referral for neglect.

Lost items are taken to the Lost and Found on a daily basis. Students should check to claim lost items. Unclaimed items will be donated monthly to charitable organizations. Please help us with this by labeling items such as coats, book bags, and lunch boxes. Parents are welcome to check the lost and found during regular school hours. A front office staff member will escort you when one is available. If possible, please plan to come after 9:00 a.m. for the best availability.

We use a prepayment system for lunch/breakfast. Our online prepayment system allows parents to go online and manage their child's meal account. MyPaymentsPlus allows you to make deposits at no cost and create settings to auto-replenish your account or receive free reminders when the balance is low. Prepayments of breakfast/lunches can be made by the week, month, or in longer time increments. Breakfast is served at a cost of $1.75. Lunch is $2.50 a day, or $11.25 for a week. Milk is $.50. An adult’s breakfast is $3.00, and the cost of an adult lunch is $4.75. You may also send cash or a check to school with your child. We do not accept debit or credit cards of any type. Please remember to put your child's name, student number, teacher, and grade on every check you send for meal accounts. Please allow for only one student per check. If you send cash, always put the money in an envelope with the student's name, student number, teacher, grade, and amount of cash written on the front.
Please note: Our school policy does not permit any type of carbonated drinks or any type of drink in a glass container.

Calls will be received by the school between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Front Office staff will email messages to teachers as they are received. Teachers are busy teaching during the school day. Please give teachers at least 24 hours to return any calls or messages. The best way to reach a teacher quickly is by sending them a message through ParentSquare.
 

Woodward Mill Elementary School wishes to meet the needs of all our students and families. If any member of your family needs assistance or has any questions regarding mobility impairment issues or handicapped access, please contact the school at 678-407-7590.

Our parents are always welcome in our building as we work to promote school/home partnerships. However, parents wishing to visit a classroom for a drop-in or extended visit should contact their child’s grade level AP to schedule an appointment. Classroom visits may last up to 30 minutes. Please do not bring siblings, as this may cause a disruption to the instruction taking place. Advance notice is important as schedules can change. An administrator must be present during the observation. This cooperation will minimize disruptions to all students' instructional programs and activities

If you’d like to volunteer in your child’s classroom, please reach out to the teacher to schedule a date and time. The teacher will then let the front office know. For safety reasons, parents won’t be allowed into classrooms unless the front office has been informed in advance.

Students will not be allowed to re-enter the building after 4:00 p.m. to pick up forgotten items such as books or lunch boxes. Prior to 4:00 p.m., a teacher must be in the room in order to re-enter the room. If the teacher is not available, the student will not be allowed in the classroom. We encourage students to learn responsibility in remembering items when leaving for home.

Students will be graded on a semester system. Report Cards will be issued after the first semester (Winter Break) and second semester. Progress reports will be provided throughout the year, and grades may also be checked via ParentVUE.

All visitors to the school must request entry using the main front doors by being “buzzed” in using the visitor management system which is located on the brick wall to the right of the double doors. All visitors will be required to show a picture ID via camera or being scanned into the Raptor system. Any visitor who comes into the main lobby will be given a visitor badge, this badge must be worn at all times. Any visitor who is not wearing a visitor’s badge will be escorted to the main office. Visitors need to check-out from the front office before leaving. Thank you for carefully following these procedures for the safety of our students and staff.

Posted on all GCPS school buses, and printed in all school handbooks. Students will follow directions of the driver.

1. Students should be at the bus stop five minutes before the bus arrives, waiting in a safe place, clear of traffic and ten feet from where the bus stops.
2. Students will wait in an orderly line and avoid playing.
3. Students will cross the roadway in front of the bus after the bus has stopped. They have looked at the driver for a hand signal, and they have looked in both directions for traffic left, right, left.
4. Students will signal the driver with a waving motion if something is dropped and wait for the driver to give a signal before picking up the object.
5. Students will go directly to their assigned seat when entering the bus. Keep the aisles and exits clear.
6. Students will remain properly seated, back against the back of the seat, bottom against the bottom of the seat, and keep hands to themselves.
7. Students will not eat, drink, chew gum, or bring tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or any controlled substances on the bus.
8. Students will not carry animals, glass objects, nuisance items, hazardous materials, or weapons onto the bus. Students may carry only objects that can be held in their laps.
9. Students will refrain from using loud voices, profanity, and/or obscene gestures, and will respect the rights and safety of others.
10. Students will not extend their heads, arms, or objects out of the bus windows.
11. Students will be very silent at railroad crossings.
12. Students will stay seated until it is time to get off the bus. The open door is the signal to get up from the bus seat.
13. Students must provide a written note, signed by a parent/guardian and a school official who will provide a bus pass giving permission to ride a different bus or to get on or off at a different bus stop location. In the event of an emergency, a bus pass will be issued by a school official only.
14. Students will keep their bus clean and in good, safe condition.
15. Students shall be prohibited from using any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus, including but not limited to cell phones, radios, tape or compact disc players, or any other electronic device in a manner that might interfere with the school bus communication equipment or the school bus driver's operation of the school bus. The bus driver may allow the wearing of headphones with an audio system on a case-by-case basis as long as it is in accord with the local school rules.
16. Students shall be prohibited from using mirrors, lasers, flash cameras, or any other lights or reflective devices in a manner that might interfere with the school bus driver's operation of the school bus.
     

School Councils were established in all Georgia Schools as part of The A+ Reform Act of 2000. The intent of School Councils "is to bring communities and schools closer together in a spirit of cooperation ... and bring parents into the school-based decision-making process." The role of School Councils will be to provide "advice, recommendations, and assistance and represent the community of parents and businesses." Councils will have the opportunity to influence not only the instructional process in the school, but also the perceptions of and support for public education in the community. Meeting dates and times will be posted and meetings are open to the public.
 

Please be reminded that all students are temporarily placed in classes until the end of the first few weeks of school. At that time, significant changes in enrollment within any grade level may require the redistribution of students.

Parents who arrive after 8:15 a.m. will be required to park in a parking space and walk their child into the school using the main front entrance. When students arrive late, they are missing valuable instructional time. This impacts the entire class when the teacher has to stop instruction to welcome the tardy student. Prompt arrival at school is expected and appreciated. Woodward Mill's counselors recommend intervention after three unexcused tardies. Daily announcements begin promptly at 8:15 a.m.

Textbooks, library books, and other school materials must be paid for if lost, stolen, or damaged. Parents can see which books their child has checked out from the school library by logging into their students Learning Portal. Parents can pay for any library fines on MyPaymentsPlus.
 

If your student(s) do not ride the regularly assigned GCPS bus to and from school each day, please complete the appropriate Transportation form linked on our school website under "Transportation." Per GCPS policy, all students will automatically be transported on GCPS bus to their assigned bus stop for their home address unless otherwise communicated to the school via the forms online. The safety of a child while walking to, from, and waiting at the bus stop is the parent's responsibility. All students will be issued a transportation tag, and this tag must be on the child's book bag at all times. This makes it imperative that each student brings their book bag to school every day to ensure the student is transported correctly home.

Buses will drop off and pick up students at the sidewalk at the front entrance of the school. Staff members will supervise the arrival and dismissal of students. Riding the school bus is a privilege. Safety on the bus is an important concern. The GCPS School Bus Behavior Management Program will be implemented and enforced.

Any questions regarding GCPS bus transportation please contact their office at 678-765-4955. To get the status of your student’s bus contact dispatch at 770-513-6686 (press #3).

• Go to the website's Transportation section for more details.
• If a permanent transportation change is needed, please use the online form mentioned above. If the change is to Bus from any other transportation types, please email: 520.transportation@gcpsk12.org and state that this is a permanent transportation change to a bus rider.
• If a temporary transportation change (10 or less school days) is needed, please send an email to: 520.transportation@gcpsk12.org or a handwritten note along with: the first and last name of the student, what type of transportation change (car rider, walker, bus), the homeroom teacher's name, and the dates the temporary change should be effective. This temporary transportation change email must be sent before 12:00pm the day of the change. Emails received after 12:00pm are not guaranteed to be processed in time for dismissal.

Bus Passes can NOT be issued for play dates, birthdays, Girl/Boy Scouts meetings, weekend sleepovers, or any other reason except for an emergency as determined by a school official.
 

If your child will be absent from school due to a family vacation or trip, daily work and assignments will be saved to be completed after your child returns to school. Students have the same number of days to make up work as days missed. Teachers will not be able to provide work packets or assignments prior to the absence. If your child will be absent for an extended period of time due to illness, please contact your child’s teacher and the assistant principal for your grade level. Your child may qualify for homebound instruction.

The system, which requires visitors to be “buzzed” into the school, is intended to enhance the safety and security of both students and staff by establishing greater door control at the primary entrance to the school. Visitors will need to press the button on the entry device outside. Our front office team will respond via the speaker to one visitor at a time. Once the visitor states their business, they will be buzzed into the vestibule (the second layer of security). Once inside, the visitor will be given further instructions from the office staff. Please make sure you have your photo ID out and ready to ensure efficient entry. Our front office team will gladly assist you one visitor at a time.

Visitor parking is available in both the front lot and side lot of the school building. Parked cars must be in designated spaces. Please do not park in the front bus lane. We also ask that you not park in the “Reserved” spots. Efforts are made to ensure parking lot security; however, Woodward Mill Elementary School and Gwinnett County Public Schools assume no responsibility for damages, loss, or theft. If a car accident occurs on campus, it is up to the individuals involved to report the accident to school officials and the police to settle damages.