Harris County Department of Education

This paper addresses the emotional distress experienced by students and educators amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the critical role of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). It introduces the Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL)'s SEL roadmap, which includes five key components and four critical practices for schools. The document also provides specific SEL strategies for teachers, such as teaching social skills, creating safe spaces for emotions, and applying psychological distancing, all adaptable for both in-person and online learning environments. The objective is to support students' emotional well-being and foster optimism during and after the pandemic.

The presentation provided an overview of the Construction Division, detailing its personnel, division goal, and primary functions, which include liaising with consultants for construction plans, assisting with land acquisition, performing environmental and safety inspections, and managing fixed asset inventories. A significant portion covered projects, listing completed items such as the 600 Crosstimbers Demolition, various Head Start playground and roof projects, and ongoing current projects including Administration Building Renovations and Generator Replacement. The presentation concluded with an economic overview for 2025 and an outlook for 2026, sourced from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addressing topics like economic slowdown, growth projections, construction inflation factors, and the overall unpredictability facing the industry.

This document outlines three key priorities for advancing social emotional learning (SEL), focusing on Professional Development & Support, Mentorship, and Measurements & Evaluation. It emphasizes developing teacher competence in addressing students' developmental needs, promoting social emotional skills through enhanced youth relationships and well-being, and exploring high-quality SEL assessments for various purposes.

This Board Presentation outlines the mission of The Center for Safe and Secure Schools to equip educational institutions with integrated safety solutions and mental health support, fostering prevention, preparedness, and effective response. The strategic direction includes four key goals: expanding visibility to establish leadership in school safety and climate initiatives, delivering comprehensive training and professional development for emotional and physical safety, supporting internal stakeholders at HCDE schools and facilities with robust resources, and strengthening client relationships through consistent, exceptional service delivery. The overarching commitment is to advance strategies that promote safe, supportive, and resilient learning environments for student and educator success.

This Board Presentation for CASE for Kids details the organization's impact, operational highlights, and financial outlook. It covers the reach of its programs, including youth and adults served, and partnerships. Key operational areas include professional development, curriculum support (SMARTZONE), coaching, and various special initiatives like the All-Earth Ecobot Challenge and career expos. The presentation also addresses financial aspects, noting current and projected budgets, funding sources, and challenges posed by federal funding reductions, while outlining strategies for resource management and new funding acquisition.