WE are SO EXCITED to bring OPERATION HERO to

Three Oaks Elementary School!

Looking for an amazing club, specially designed for children from ACTIVE-DUTY military families in grades 2-5? The Armed Services YMCA is delighted to partner with Three Oaks Elementary School to offer OPERATION HERO to our youngest hereos--our military kiddos. This 9-week, NO-COST program provides social emotional support and is a place where students quickly recognize that they share similar life experiences and unique challenges associated with military life.

Through engaging and interactive lessons, trained facilitators/mentors help students learn the importance of what their military parent does and the personal sacrifices they make to keep our country safe. While gaining a deeper understanding and respect for their parents’ demanding service, they come to realize their essential role in their military family.

OP HERO helps students to manage their BIG feelings and learn to resolve conflicts. These students also develop meaningful friendships while focusing on respect, responsibility, honesty, and problem-solving. Encouraging greater self-esteem and positive interactions with peers and family are core objectives for OPERATION HERO.

All of us understand the IMPORTANCE of CONNECTION with friends. This is especially important for our military children who transition and deal with change more often than their civilian counterparts. OP HERO gives these students an opportunity to connect with friends to network in positive, healthy ways. OPERATION HERO is NOT a typical afterschool program. It is ENGAGING, FUN and RELEVANT for military dependents. This is how it works.

 

Students will meet twice each week for the 9-week session right here at Three Oaks Elementary School. Sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30-5:00 PM. Students will report directly to the designated OpHero room at dismissal where they will enjoy nutritious snacks (provided by us) and conversation with friends while they decompress from their school day. They will also spend some quality time on the playground with friends (weather permitting).

Curriculum-based lessons and interactive games and activities are shared and provide opportunities for self-reflection, as well as much discussion with peers. We know that sharing similar experiences and making connections helps to strengthen students’ character development and leadership skills. It also fosters empathy and increases students' resilience enabling them to reach their full potential. Caring, trained adults, most military spouses, dependents or active-duty service members, understand military life and serve as program mentors. 

 

As a culminating activity, during Weeks 7 and 8, students meet with mentors one-on-one to respond to post-program questions/topics and prepare their presentations for their upcoming graduation. The ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of our youngest heroes will be held in the school auditorium with a reception for families and staff to follow. Invitations to attend the graduation ceremony will be emailed to families and school staff two weeks prior to graduation.

PARENTS play an important role in this special ceremony as well.

"Secret" details will be shared in the email accompanying the invitation.  

If this sounds like a program that would benefit your child, and you can commit to your child to attending twice weekly for the duration of the program (following the schedule of dates provided; please note Op Hero does not meet on staff days, early dismissal, or holidays), please complete the application below. 100% attendance at all sessions is expected, so student participants should not have other extracurricular activities scheduled on the dates when Operation Hero meets.

The dates for this Winter 2024 OPERATION HERO session are as follows: 

 Tues., Mar. 12               Week 1, Lesson 1     

                                  Identity & Self-Esteem

Thurs., Mar. 14              Week 1, Lesson 2

 

 

Tues., Mar. 19                  Week 2, Lesson 1     

                                        Respect & Honor

Thurs., Mar. 21                Week 2, Lesson 2

 

 

Tues., Mar. 26                  Week 3, Lesson 1     

                      Responsibility, Honesty & Integrity

Thurs., Mar. 28                Week 3, Lesson 2

 

      APRIL 1-5 SPRING BREAK--HAVE A WONDERFUL

                     VACATION! SEE YOU SOON!

 

Tues., Apr. 9                    Week 4, Lesson 1     

                           Empathy & Being a Good Friend

Thurs., Apr. 11                 Week 4, Lesson 2

 

 

Tues., Apr. 16                  Week 5, Lesson 1     

      Coping with Deployments, Change & Big Feelings 

Thurs., Apr. 18                 Week 5, Lesson 2

 

 

Tues., Apr. 23                  Week 6, Lesson 1

                  Bullying, Differences & Self-Acceptance

Thurs., Apr. 25                 Week 6, Lesson 2

                     

 

Tues., Apr. 30                  Week 7, Lesson 1   

                              Problem Solving & Teamwork

Thurs., May 2                  Week 7, Lesson 2

                                  

 

Tues., May 7                    Week 8, Lesson 1

                                       I Am an Op Hero! 

Thurs., May 9                  Week 8, Lesson 2

                              

 

TUESDAY, MAY 14*         Week 9  REHEARSAL

THURSDAY, MAY 16*       Week 9  GRADUATION &                                                              RECEPTION

*STUDENTS WILL REPORT TO OPERATION HERO AS                   USUAL ON BOTH OF THESE DAYS.

 

Operation Hero Graduation and Reception will be held THURSDAY,       MAY 16, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Doors open for families and guests at 4:15 PM

 

 

 

My military-connected child is experiencing one or more of the following:

To the best of my knowledge, the information on this application is accurate and up-to-date. I understand if I misrepresent information to the Armed Services YMCA, my child may not be able to participate in this program.

I give consent for my child to participate in the Armed Services YMCA's Operation Hero Program. I understand that at least one parent must be an Active-Duty Military Service Member. 

I understand that the expectation is that my child will fully participate in ALL components of this 9-Week OP HERO Program, attending two days each week for the entire program, and he/she will complete all activities as assigned.  

I understand that OPERATION HERO is an interactive, peer-centered learning environment designed specifically for military children. All students are expected to be respectful and participate appropriately in activities and meetings. It is not an environment that is equipped to handle severe or long-term behavior problems. Children who have repetitive incidents of misbehavior and do not show signs of improvement will be removed from the program.

I understand that my child is required to complete a PRE-PROGRAM SURVEY as part of Week 1 activities. This Stirling Well-Being Scale will be completed with their mentor. A POST-PROGRAM SURVEY will also be completed with my child. 

I further understand that I am responsible for completing a brief PRE-PROGRAM PARENT SURVEY that will be sent to me once I enroll my child in this program. I am also responsible for completing a brief POST-PROGRAM PARENT SURVEY that will help to measure my child's progress and share my feedback about the program. Both of these surveys will be sent through a link included in an email to parents. I understand that the email I provided in the application will be the primary mode of communication for sending links to these surveys.

Parent feedback is especially important for this program, as we serve students and families. Parent feedback will assist program administrators and mentors in determining program effectiveness and assist the ASYMCA as we continue to strive to enhance and improve the program.

Before submitting this application, I have verified that my child is interested in participating in Operation Hero and he/she does NOT have other commitments that would prevent him/her from fully participating in the program twice each week March-May. I understand and acknowledge that my child has an interest in participating in this program and is committed to completing this program in its entirety. Teaching students to work diligently to meet deadlines and to finish, as well as follow thru on commitments are very important life skills that need to be taught and practiced, as we all know. We are fortunate that our military families fully understand the value of due diligence and putting forth our best effort in all we do. I will be sure to provide the needed guidance and encouragement to ensure my child gets the full benefit of this program. 

I will pick my child up promptly at dismissal at the designated time and area at the front of the school. I understand that for the safety of my child, I will be asked to show a photo ID and must sign my child out with the program facilitator. I understand only authorized persons may pick uip my child. If I want to add adults to this list, I will send the request in writing to lroberts@asymca.org.  

I am an adult over 18 years of age and wish to participate in or have my child/children participate in the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads program activities.

IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to utilize the facilities, services, and programs of the ASYMCA, including but not limited to observation or use of the facilities or equipment, or participation in any off-site affiliate with ASYMCA, the undersigned, for himself or herself and any personal representatives, heir, and next of kin, hereby acknowledges, agrees and represents that he or she has immediately upon entering or participating inspected and carefully considered such premises and facilities or the affiliated program.

In addition, I give my child/children permission to participate in the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads programs.

I understand that even when every reasonable precaution is taken, accidents may sometimes happen. Therefore, in exchange for allowing my child/children to participate in ASYMCA activities, I understand and expressly acknowledge that I, for myself, or anyone entitled to act on my behalf, do hereby waive and release the ASYMCA, sponsors, representatives, and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my/my child(ren)'s participation in activities at or sponsored by the ASYMCA.

I further agree to indemnify and save harmless the ASYMCA from any claims or demands arising from such injuries or losses. I understand that this release includes any claims based on negligence, action, or inaction of the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads, its staff, directors, members, and guests.

I have read, understand, and am voluntarily signing this authorization and release.

I understand that the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads is not responsible for personal property lost, damaged, or stolen while using the ASYMCA facilities on the ASYMCA premises or when involved in ASYMCA programs.

I give my permission to the ASYMCA to use limitation and obligation, photographs, film footage, or tape recordings which may include mine or my child’s image or voice for the purposes of promotion or interpreting ASYMCA programs. This is a requirement for participation in the graduation ceremony as well.

Parents, in order for your child to reap the most benefit from this program, students MUST be able to participate in ALL 9 WEEKS of this program to enroll. Attendance at all sessions is expected, so students should not schedule other extracurricular activities on the dates Operation Hero meets. We focus, just like the school on completing what we start. Thank you for your commitment and support.

Once this application is received, it will be reviewed by the Armed Services YMCA staff. Parents will receive an email notifying them that their child was selected to participate in the program and a link to the PRE-PROGRAM PARENT SURVEY will be sent to be completed and submitted BEFORE the program begins. Any student not selected for participation in this Winter session, due to limited seating, will automatically be placed on the Wait List and will have first right of refusal to participate in the next Operation Hero session.