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Havard Elementary celebrates 10 years
  
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By MATT HOLLIS
Back in 1995, plans for a new elementary school in Galena Park in response to the rapid growth on the city’s north side. Three years later, the school opened its doors bearing the name of one of the community’s most honored citizens, James B. Havard.
On Nov. 10, teachers and principals, former and current, gathered for a celebration as the school turned 10 years old. Many of its current students were there to see the festivities.
“To you, 10 years may seem like a lifetime,” said Havard’s current principal Fran Neal, speaking to the students. “But to me, it is just like yesterday.”
Frances Ramsey was Havard’s first principal. She paid a special visit to the school for the celebration and shared her thoughts.
“I remember when the school first opened,” Ramsey said. “I was made principal in 1996 when there was nothing there yet. It was said I was the principal of a group of trees. It is a lot less discipline when you are a tree principal.”
Ramsey, who now heads Our Lady of Fatima School, was at Woodland Acres for 30 years prior to coming to Havard Elementary. When she heard the school was going to be named after Havard, she knew thatwas the right choice.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” she said. “(Havard) served on the GPISD board for 29 years and is admired and trusted. I knew we were in good hands and this was going to be one fine school.”
Havard died in 2007.
“One of my first observations when I went into the school was how polite and prepared everyone was,” said Rick Havard, one of James Havard’s children. “It speaks highly of the staff, teachers and students. It is a tremendous honor to what my father was all about.”
Rick also said that the school emphasized something his father always said.
“He would always say it is for the children,” Rick said. “Anything that came across his desk, he wanted to know how it would affect the children. This common theme is at the school.”
Mike Havard, another of James Havard’s children, said the celebration was honorable.
“(My father) would be pleased with how it looked,” Mike said. “Having the school named after him was not something he thought he should receive. He did not dedicate his time just to have a name on a school. He just gave his service where he thought he could serve.”
Ramsey said that the celebration was a part of the school’s history.
“I am proud to be part of the school’s history,” she said. “This school has the same pride and determination as it did 10 years ago.”
Johnnie Rountree, GPISD Foundation and special events coordinator, served on the school district’s board for 28 years with Havard.
“He gave a lot to this community,” Rountree said. “James would be proud of the way the faculty and staff have taken care of this school. The children and staff should know about the people these schools are named after. It might entice them to become board members themselves.”
The Havard Honor Choir performed three songs during the celebration. They sang “Happy Anniversary,” which was composed by Teresa Jennings and arranged by Cambrie Briggs; “Pass It Along,” also composed by Jennings; and “Celebrate” by Kool and the Gang.
On Nov. 10, teachers and principals, former and current, gathered for a celebration as the school turned 10 years old. Many of its current students were there to see the festivities.
“To you, 10 years may seem like a lifetime,” said Havard’s current principal Fran Neal, speaking to the students. “But to me, it is just like yesterday.”
Frances Ramsey was Havard’s first principal. She paid a special visit to the school for the celebration and shared her thoughts.
“I remember when the school first opened,” Ramsey said. “I was made principal in 1996 when there was nothing there yet. It was said I was the principal of a group of trees. It is a lot less discipline when you are a tree principal.”
Ramsey, who now heads Our Lady of Fatima School, was at Woodland Acres for 30 years prior to coming to Havard Elementary. When she heard the school was going to be named after Havard, she knew thatwas the right choice.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” she said. “(Havard) served on the GPISD board for 29 years and is admired and trusted. I knew we were in good hands and this was going to be one fine school.”
Havard died in 2007.
“One of my first observations when I went into the school was how polite and prepared everyone was,” said Rick Havard, one of James Havard’s children. “It speaks highly of the staff, teachers and students. It is a tremendous honor to what my father was all about.”
Rick also said that the school emphasized something his father always said.
“He would always say it is for the children,” Rick said. “Anything that came across his desk, he wanted to know how it would affect the children. This common theme is at the school.”
Mike Havard, another of James Havard’s children, said the celebration was honorable.
“(My father) would be pleased with how it looked,” Mike said. “Having the school named after him was not something he thought he should receive. He did not dedicate his time just to have a name on a school. He just gave his service where he thought he could serve.”
Ramsey said that the celebration was a part of the school’s history.
“I am proud to be part of the school’s history,” she said. “This school has the same pride and determination as it did 10 years ago.”
Johnnie Rountree, GPISD Foundation and special events coordinator, served on the school district’s board for 28 years with Havard.
“He gave a lot to this community,” Rountree said. “James would be proud of the way the faculty and staff have taken care of this school. The children and staff should know about the people these schools are named after. It might entice them to become board members themselves.”
The Havard Honor Choir performed three songs during the celebration. They sang “Happy Anniversary,” which was composed by Teresa Jennings and arranged by Cambrie Briggs; “Pass It Along,” also composed by Jennings; and “Celebrate” by Kool and the Gang.
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