Counselors' Corner

The mission of the Woodward Mill ES Counseling Department is to serve all students in removing barriers to promote excellence in academic, personal/social, and career development in order that all students may reach their full potential.

Counselors provide 8-10 lessons for every classroom throughout the school year. We are not "counseling" in the classes; instead, we are providing children with the resources and strategies to feel their best and do their best.

The lessons focus on county competencies for each grade level in the three domains: academic, career, and personal/social. 

Topics include:

• Test-taking skills
• Listening skills
• College and career awareness
• Friendship/communication skills
• Personal safety
• Cooperation
• Study skills - time management, organization, etc.

Small group counseling is available for students with specific needs. Groups are created according to needs for the grade level as determined by data and teacher, parent, and staff referrals. Parental permission is required for participation in group counseling. Small groups meet weekly for 6-8 weeks during school hours. 

Individual and/or crisis counseling is available to all students on a short-term basis. A referral to see a counselor may be requested by a student, parent, teacher or administrator. We do not provide long-term or regular counseling sessions, but we can refer you to agencies in the community who do.

Strong 4 Life

Woodward Mill Elementary School partners with Strong 4 Life to support families raising healthy, safe, and resilient kids. This is a great resource for supporting your child's physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Please contact Ms. Cox or Ms. Holness if you need further help to locate mental health and/or other resources in the community.

United Way

Just dial 2-1-1. It's confidential, free, and available 24/7. Speak with a trained specialist who can help you locate programs or services such as job training, food, domestic violence shelters, family/marital counseling, substance abuse counseling, elderly/childcare, or volunteer opportunities.

Gwinnett Coalition

Need help? Looking for information or resources in Gwinnett County? You can call the Gwinnett Helpline at 770-995-3339 for information and referrals for family challenges, emergency shelter, health services, childcare, counseling, food, legal services and so much more.

The school counselors plan and implement multiple school wide events this year. For the 2026-2027 school year, we are looking forward to:

• Attendance Incentive Programs: The counselors work with teachers, parents, and students to encourage regular attendance at school. If you're not at school, you are not learning! We look forward to seeing our students at school, on time, every day!
• Bench Buddy Incentive: The Buddy Bench is on the playground as a spot where students can sit when they need a friend or someone to play with. We hope it will encourage our students to befriend others and combat loneliness.
• Character Education Program and Cub of the Month: A positive character trait is featured each month in classroom counseling lessons, on the morning announcements, and throughout the building school-wide. Teachers acknowledge students throughout the month who exhibit the featured character trait by nominating them to receive a "Cub of the Month" certificate.
• College and Career Week: During this week, we explore different post-secondary education and career options with our students. This culminates with College and Career Day, during which students get to hear from guest speakers from multiple professions and/or colleges. If you are interested in volunteering to speak, please let your counselors know! We would love to have you!
• Mindfulness and Calm Down Corner Program: Each month, a different mindfulness activity is highlighted for students during the morning announcements and classroom counseling lessons. These are meant to be a tool for students and staff to utilize to calm down when needed. We also have calm down corners in each classroom. The calm down corner is a resource that students can use when they need a break to manage their emotions. Each calm down corner has a stress ball, play-doh, pencils/paper, a pinwheel to practice breathing, calm down strategy cards, and a timer. These tools are available for all students in the building.
• Kindness Week: Random Acts of Kindness Week is held in February each year. During this month, we encourage students and staff to show kindness to others through different activities and challenges. One activity is "Mix It Up" day at lunch. During this lunch, students get to know students in other classes by sitting at special tables. This is a great opportunity for students to branch out and be kind to others that they would not typically get to see.
• SEL Parent Workshop: Each semester, the counseling department offers workshops to help parents support their children's social and emotional growth. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

• Red Ribbon Week: Red Ribbon Week is a nation-wide program that encourages making healthy choices by abstaining from drugs and alcohol. The school counselors partner with Student Council in creating themes for each day of the week. Information about living a healthy lifestyle is featured on the morning announcements each day. Stay tuned for thie year's theme on Cub Corner!