Programs that are Age-Appropriate and Trauma-Informed
The H.E.R.O. Program is meant to be taught as a life skill that can be used beyond the walls of the classroom for a lifetime.
Preschool
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The H.E.R.O. Preschool Program is designed for students from 3 years old through TK or young Kindergarten. The program emphasizes classroom management during a crisis to have students respond to a teacher or trusted adult instruction right away. Students follow the story of young heroes at Metro City H.E.R.O. Preschool and how their teacher keeps them safe. Then, students practice the concepts they learned in the narrative with play-based learning exercises, concluding with whole-class discussions and earning H.E.R.O. Leader Badges.
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Four interactive lesson plans guide the teacher through the learning process with the students. Based on storytelling from the provided narrative, students learn how to stay safe and follow the immediate directions from their teachers or trusted adults. With one lesson a day lasting 20-30 minutes over four days and an age-appropriate/trauma-informed drill on the fifth day, “H.E.R.O. Week” is meant to focus on safety and empower young learners to feel safe and be safe.
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- 2-hour Professional Development training
- How to teach guide
- 4 interactive lesson plans
- Young Heroes Obey narrative
- “Feelings Wheel” for emotional check-ins
- Student engagement resources
- Drill and scenario guide
- Student accessibility guide
- Parent and family support materials
- Access to H.E.R.O. and school safety experts
- “H.E.R.O. School” designation
- Available in multiple languages
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Download additional information on the H.E.R.O. Preschool Program or review the Parent Companion Guide.
Grades K-3
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The H.E.R.O. Program is designed for K-12 students, with individualized content for lower and upper elementary, middle, and high school. Each grade level has two complete sets of curricula, allowing schools to alternate stories and lessons every school year to keep students engaged. The K-3 lower elementary emphasis is designed for young learners to discover ways to stay safe in interactive learning environments by following the story of young heroes at Metro City H.E.R.O. School. Students then practice the concepts they learned in the narratives with play-based learning exercises, concluding with whole-class discussions, journaling in their H.E.R.O. Journals, and prompts to discuss what they learned at home.
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Five interactive lesson plans guide the teacher through the learning process with the students. Based on storytelling from the provided narrative, students learn how to stay safe and apply the H.E.R.O. concepts through activities in the classroom. With one lesson a day lasting 30-45 minutes over five days, “H.E.R.O. Week” is meant to focus on safety and empower young learners to feel safe and be safe.
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- 2-hour Professional Development training
- How to teach guide
- 5 interactive lesson plans
- 2 narratives
- Meets or exceeds ELA Standards
- “Feelings Wheel” for emotional check-ins
- Drill and scenario guide
- Student accessibility guide
- Parent and family support materials
- Access to H.E.R.O. and school safety experts
- “H.E.R.O. School” designation
- Available in multiple languages
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Download additional information on the H.E.R.O. Program or review the Parent Companion Guide.
Grades 4-5
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The H.E.R.O. Program is designed for K-12 students, with individualized content for lower and upper elementary, middle, and high school. Each grade level has two complete sets of curricula, allowing schools to alternate stories and lessons every school year to keep students engaged. The 4-5 upper elementary emphasis is designed for older learners to discover ways to stay safe in interactive learning environments by following the story of young heroes at Metro City H.E.R.O. School. Students then practice the concepts they learned in the narratives with learning exercises, concluding with whole-class discussions, journaling in their H.E.R.O. Journals, and prompts to discuss what they learned at home.
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Five interactive lesson plans guide the teacher through the learning process with the students. Based on storytelling from the provided narrative, students learn how to stay safe and apply the H.E.R.O. concepts through activities in the classroom. With one lesson a day lasting 30-45 minutes over five days, “H.E.R.O. Week” is meant to focus on safety and empower older learners to feel safe and be safe.
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- 2-hour Professional Development training
- How to teach guide
- 5 interactive lesson plans
- 2 narratives
- Meets or exceeds ELA Standards
- Drill and scenario guide
- Student accessibility guide
- Parent and family support materials
- Access to H.E.R.O. and school safety experts
- “H.E.R.O. School” designation
- Available in multiple languages
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Download additional information on the H.E.R.O. Program or review the Parent Companion Guide.
Middle and High School
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The H.E.R.O. Program is designed for K-12 students, with individualized content for lower and upper elementary, middle, and high school. Each grade level has two complete sets of curricula, allowing schools to alternate stories and lessons every school year to keep students engaged. Middle and high school students begin with prevention. By learning the warning signs in their friends and peers while discovering ways to connect them to help, students understand the importance of recognizing others who may be in crisis. Students then learn H.E.R.O. concepts through narratives and scenarios, using group work, teach-backs, problem-based learning, and physical practicing of concepts. Each lesson provides for critical and safe conversations, with prompts to discuss what they learned at home to take their H.E.R.O. skills beyond the confines of their classroom.
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Five interactive lesson plans guide the teacher through the learning process with the students. Based on narratives for middle school and scenarios for high school, students learn how to stay safe and apply the H.E.R.O. concepts through discussions and activities in the classroom. With one lesson a day lasting 30-45 minutes over five days, “H.E.R.O. Week” is meant to focus on safety and empower learners to feel safe and be safe.
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- 2-hour Professional Development training
- How to teach guide
- 5 interactive lesson plans
- 2 narratives for Middle School
- 2 scenarios for High School
- Meets or exceeds ELA Standards
- Drill and scenario guide
- Student accessibility guide
- Parent and family support materials
- Access to H.E.R.O. and school safety experts
- “H.E.R.O. School” designation
- Available in multiple languages
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Download additional information on the H.E.R.O. Program or review the Parent Companion Guide.
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The H.E.R.O. Program doesn’t stop in the classroom. The afterschool program combines 21st-century concepts with short, interactive activity plans, allowing for outdoor and non-traditional learning environments. Designed for limited access to technology, students learn through storytelling, play-based activities, coloring, and worksheets. The H.E.R.O. Afterschool Program is appropriate for PreK-8th grade students in afterschool or enrichment programs on campus, summer camps or programs, or independent afterschool centers.
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Five interactive activity plans guide youth counselors and staff through the learning process with the students. Based on storytelling and activity-based learning, students learn how to stay safe and apply the H.E.R.O. concepts through exercises either inside or outside the classroom. With one activity plan a day lasting 15-20 minutes over five days, “H.E.R.O. Week” is meant to focus on safety and empower kids to feel safe and be safe.
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- 2-hour Professional Development training
- How to teach guide
- 5 interactive activity plans
- Multiple narratives and worksheets
- Drill and scenario guide
- Student accessibility guide
- Parent and family support materials
- Access to H.E.R.O. and school safety experts
- “H.E.R.O. Site” designation
- Available in multiple languages
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Download additional information on the H.E.R.O. Program or review the Parent Companion Guide.
Afterschool and Enrichment
Faith-Based Schools
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The H.E.R.O. Program provides a biblical appendix connecting scripture, courage verses, and biblical stories to each of the H.E.R.O. concepts at every grade level. Currently meant for Christian faith-based schools, additional appendices are being created soon for Jewish and Islamic schools.
Professional Development & Training
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The H.E.R.O. Professional Development course can be used with the H.E.R.O. Curricula or as a stand-alone training. It’s designed for educators, by educators, to be trauma-informed. By using adult learning methods to promote a safe learning environment, the training leaves teachers feeling empowered rather than scared. Unlike traditional active shooter or violent intruder training, the H.E.R.O. Professional Development course does not include any simulated violence, stress-based training, video or audio recordings of violent incidents, airsoft or foam projectiles, or physical drills.
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- 2-hour Professional Development training
- In-person courses tailored to the campus
- Live virtual courses encourage Q & A with teachers
- Can be used without the H.E.R.O. curriculum
H.E.R.O. in the Workplace
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The H.E.R.O. Program doesn’t stop in the classroom. From houses of worship to large corporations, H.E.R.O. in the Workplace brings the same trauma-informed training to employees. The topic of active shooters and workplace violence is scary, but the training doesn’t have to be.
Conference Keynotes and Breakout Sessions
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H.E.R.O. Experts speak at conferences across the country on a wide array of topics ranging from school safety, workplace violence, and a host of other related topics. Engagements range from small breakout sessions to the keynote speaker. Inquire below for an expert speaking request.
Feel safe, be safe.
Start your H.E.R.O. journey today!
“My anxiety level went down after the H.E.R.O. training. I feel like I can be a stronger advocate for myself and my students.”
— Public High School Math Teacher
Get A Demo Account
Is the H.E.R.O. Program right for your students, teachers, and community? Request a demo account to review stories, narratives, and professional development training. It provides the “Hide!” lesson at every grade level to gain insight on how the program ages up or down, depending on the age of the students.