Guidance & Counseling

Guidance Counselor

Kelly Swinyard

Email: kswinyard@mcsdga.net
Phone: (706)569-3728
What is a a School Counselor?
The role of the school counselor has changed dramatically over the years to include many different roles.
Here at Waddell Elementary School the counseling program includes but is not limited to:
Classroom Guidance - I visit each classroom biweekly to do lessons on many different topics/issues.
Small Group Counseling - Small groups are created for those in need to discuss more sensitive issues or if more support is needed for an individual. Small groups last 6-8 weeks.
Individual counseling - I speak to students individually as needed. Students are referred by theteacher/administration, by their parents(s)or through self-referral.
Peer Helpers - Peer Helpers are selected at the beginning of each school year and are comprised of 4th and 5th grade students who are academically eligible and who exhibit exemplary behavior. These selected students tutor other students in need and participate in school-wide and community-wide activities.
Parent workshops - Workshops are created on an as-needed basis to include topics of interest as expressed by parents of students here at Waddell during the school year.
Student Support Team - The Student Support Team is comprised of your child's classroom teachers(s), the counselor (Kelly Swinyard), the school psychologist (Courtney Moorer), the parents and if needed the principal(Carolyn Ambrose), assistant principal (Shiann Williamson), and other faculty members.
Parent Consultation/.Conferences - Parent Conferences can be arranged by calling the school.
We welcome parental involvement at all times and will happily meet with you.
Throughout this school year I will be leading small groups that will take place during the school day and each group will last six to eight weeks. The small groups offered this school year includes:
Group for children whose parent(s)are deployed
Children of Divorce
Social Skills Group
Anger Manage Group
If you believe that your child would benefit from any of the listed small groups, please call or email me as soon as possible.
I will be presenting the Good Touch/Bad Touch program throughout this school year to all students at Waddell Elementary School.The program is a body safety program that teaches our children a comfortable way to talk about sensitive issues. It is hoped that this program will help lessen their vulnerability to abuse and promote good mental health.
I welcome parents to call me at anytime to discuss concerns or questions you may have during the school year.
I look forward to working with your children and will do whatever it takes to promote academic, personal and social success here at Waddell Elementary School.