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Gary L. Herod Elementary School is located in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston. The school is named in memory of Texas Air National Guard Captain Gary L. Herod. Herod Elementary opened in 1965. When Herod opened in 1965, it served the many families with young children in the neighborhood. As the years went by, the neighborhood changed. There were no longer as many young children in the neighborhood zone. By the mid 1980’s, the enrollment had declined. At this time, HISD was expanding Magnet programs and Herod received a Vanguard Program in 1987 to serve the needs of gifted and talented children. Students were accepted into the Vanguard Magnet Program from throughout the district and the enrollment began to grow once again. By the early 1990’s, families with young children were moving into the Herod neighborhood. The Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Program, a Dual Language English/Spanish Program, began in 1993 and also attracted students from outside the Herod attendance zone. By the late 1990’s, enrollment topped 800. Now, in the 2005-2006 school year, the student population is 44% from the Herod attendance zone and 56% from students attending Herod on transfers. Enrollment is stable with about 700 students in attendance. Mrs. Jerri Nixon is the principal. Herod has been served by the following principals: Norma Richardson, Mary Chatham, Jacqueline Stuart, Fay Samples, Mary Foley Little (interim), Connie Orler Bath, Nancy Nichols, and Mr. James Goggin. Over twenty-five languages are represented by Herod's diverse population. The needs of students are successfully served through the Neighborhood Program, Gifted and Talented Program, Dual Language Program, English As A Second Language Program, resource classes, and speech therapy. Herod houses two Special Education classes with a class for autistic students and a Behavior Services class. The successful educational programs offered at Herod have drawn many visitors to the school over the years. Herod has received federal and state grants as well as grants from corporations. Herod alum, Michael Dell, through The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, awarded each Herod teacher a Dell laptop computer. Teachers participate in a wide variety of professional growth and staff development and also serve as mentors and instructors to other district personnel. In the past, the staff has had partnerships with the University of Houston Department of Education. Herod participates in an elementary school student exchange program and hosts exchange students from Mexico.
The contributions and involvement of parents are
instrumental to students’ success. Parents are active volunteers
throughout the school and
important members of the Shared Decision-Making Committee.
The PTO fund raising projects have resulted in many
enhancements to the facilities including the updating of the
Media Center, playground,
front courtyard, new fencing, and community garden. |
