La Vernia Independent School District

🎃👩‍🍳 Calling All Little Chefs! 👨‍🍳🕸️
Get ready for a spook-tacular evening of fun and food! 🎂🧁

🧡 LVHS Culinary Arts & FCCLA are brewing up something special with a Kids Halloween Cooking Class!
Kids ages 8-11 will love this hands-on experience where they’ll create spooky treats, rock a paper chef hat, and take home their tasty creations! 🍬👻

📅 Date: October 30th
⏰ Time: 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: LVHS Culinary Kitchen
💲 Cost: $40 (includes apron, chef hat & goodies to go!)

Spots are limited — don’t miss out on the frightfully fun culinary adventure!
🔗 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGUtj4_2Xy5xfP46FIO8Pu8KGefqOEurTle2Zg0vcOiaHsYQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108005658051608477916

💙 Let’s show that Bear pride and cook up some Halloween magic!

🍂💙 The October We Are La Vernia Newsletter is here! 💙🍂

This month, we’re celebrating National Principals Month and honoring the incredible leaders who guide our campuses with dedication and heart. 🏫👏

You’ll also find important updates about the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) and more great things happening across La Vernia ISD! 🐻✨

📬 Read the full October newsletter here: 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/8jz0dm

#LVISD #BearPride #BuildingOurBears #PrincipalsMonth #VATRE2025

🧼✨ Join Our Team – Now Hiring Custodians! ✨🧼

La Vernia ISD is looking for dependable, hardworking individuals to help keep our campuses clean, safe, and shining bright! 💙🐻 If you take pride in your work and want to be part of something meaningful, this is your moment!

💲 Pay Range: $11.00–$15.20/hour
🔹 Friendly, supportive team
🔹 Steady work with meaningful impact
🔹 Help create a great environment for students and staff

🧽 Apply now at 👉 https://lavernia.schoolspring.com/

🗳️ Voting Tip: Dress for Voting Success! 💙🤍❤️

When you head to the polls, remember that Texas law doesn’t allow campaign-related clothing, hats, or buttons within 100 feet of a polling place.

That means no apparel promoting or opposing a candidate, political party, or ballot measure — including any items related to this year’s La Vernia ISD VATRE. 👍

✅ Choose neutral, non-political clothing for your trip to the polls.
🚫 Avoid shirts, hats, or gear with LVISD logos or references while voting, since the district has a measure on the ballot.

Let’s keep our polling places positive, respectful, and focused on what matters most — making your voice heard! 💙

⚡️💼 We're Hiring: Licensed Electrician! 💼⚡️

La Vernia ISD is on the hunt for a Licensed Electrician to join our hardworking and spirited team! 🐻💙 Whether you're troubleshooting panels or keeping the lights shining bright, you'll be an essential part of keeping Bear Nation running strong!

🔹 Work with a supportive district family
🔹 Make an impact where it matters
🔹 Be part of something bigger — Bear Pride!

🛠️ Ready to join the team? Apply now at 👉 https://lavernia.schoolspring.com/

🗳️ Understanding the Ballot Language – VATRE 2025 💙🐻

Let’s break it down: The total tax rate of $1.0519 is actually LESS than last year’s by a full penny! 💰
✔️ The 8.03% increase only applies to the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) portion of the tax rate — increasing from $0.6669 to $0.6969.
✔️ This change supports an additional $970,997 in local funding to invest directly into La Vernia ISD’s students, staff, and schools.

✅ Stay informed.
✅ Learn more at www.lvisd.org/page/vatre

🎶🎺 LET’S SEND OFF OUR BEAR BAND IN STYLE! 🎺🎶

La Vernia, it’s time to rally together and show some BIG Bear pride! 🐻💙🤍 This Saturday, October 25th, our incredible La Vernia Bear Band is heading to UIL Area in CalAllen — and they need our full support!

Join us at 8:15 a.m. by the Band Hall area for a TRIUMPHANT SENDOFF as they hit the road! Let’s pack the lot, raise our voices, wave those signs, and give them the loudest, proudest cheer they’ve ever heard! 🥁🎷🎌

These amazing students have worked so hard, and now it’s our turn to lift them up with all the love and energy La Vernia can bring.

📣 BE THERE. BE LOUD. BE PROUD. GO BEARS!! 💙🐻🤍

🎉 Please join us in giving a big welcome to Mr. Howard Wilen, our new Director of Safety and Security!

With over 20 years in education and a strong background as a secondary assistant principal, Mr. Wilen brings top-tier experience in emergency planning 🚨, campus safety audits 🔍, and behavioral threat assessment 🧠.

He’s a certified leader in the Standard Response Protocol 📘 and Reunification Method 🔄, a TEA Sentinel Beta User 💻, and a graduate of the National Council of School Safety Directors’ leadership program 🎓. Mr. Wilen will partner with law enforcement 🚓 and emergency responders 🚑 to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all.

We’re excited to have his leadership and passion on our team! 💙🐻

🎉 Join us in welcoming Margaret Bray as our new Executive Director of Assessment, Accountability & Student Programs! 🐻💙

Mrs. Bray brings over 19 years of experience in education, including years of dynamic leadership as a principal, vice principal, academic dean, and campus coordinator. As the founding principal of a magnet school in Northside ISD, she led with vision—boosting student performance, growing programs, and recruiting top educators. Her work has earned districtwide impact and state-level recognition, including being named a 2025 HEB Excellence in Education State Finalist!

We’re thrilled to have her leadership, passion, and commitment guiding our district forward. Welcome to the Bear family, Mrs. Bray! 💼📊

🗳️ Early Voting is Now Open! 💙🐻
It’s time to head to the polls and make your voice count!

🗳️💙For Wilson County Voters
📅 Early Voting Dates:
✔️ October 20–24: 8AM–5PM
✔️ October 27–29: 8AM–5PM
✔️ October 30–31: 7AM–7PM
📍 Location:
Wilson County Courthouse Annex III
🗺️ 1103 4th Street, Bldg. B, Suite 101, Floresville, TX 78114

🗳️💙 For Guadalupe County Voters
📅 Early Voting Dates:
✔️ Oct. 20–24: 8AM–5PM
✔️ Oct. 25 (Sat): 7AM–7PM
✔️ Oct. 26 (Sun): 12PM–6PM
✔️ Oct. 27–31: 7AM–7PM
📍 Multiple convenient locations across the county — New Braunfels, Cibolo, Seguin, Schertz, and more! Click here for the list of locations: https://aptg.co/R1DKm7
🐻🗳️Whether you vote early or on Election Day, your voice matters!

📲 Learn more at:
👉 www.lvisd.org/page/vatre

#LVVATRE25 #BearCountryVotes #LaVerniaISD #BeInformed #BlueAndWhite #VoteTexas

🚌💙 Happy National School Bus Safety Week, La Vernia ISD! 💙🚌

At La Vernia ISD, student safety is always a top priority. Whether our Bears are riding to school or heading home, we’re committed to keeping every journey safe and respectful! 🐾

🎥 Check out our school bus safety video here:
👉 https://www.canva.com/design/DAG0pbhMkyU/mHTTuFBOOAhFHzGjvMpyyw/watch

Let’s all do our part to:
🔹 Stay alert
🔹 Slow down in school zones
🔹 Show kindness and respect

Together, we roll safe. Together, we are BEAR STRONG. 💙🤍
#LVISDProud #SchoolBusSafetyWeek #BlueAndWhitePride

🗳️🐻 La Vernia Bears — It's Almost Time to Vote! 💙🤍

Your voice matters, and early voting is about to start! Make your plan and make it count!

🗳️💙For Wilson County Voters

📅 Early Voting Dates:
✔️ October 20–24: 8AM–5PM
✔️ October 27–29: 8AM–5PM
✔️ October 30–31: 7AM–7PM

📍 Location:
Wilson County Courthouse Annex III
🗺️ 1103 4th Street, Bldg. B, Suite 101, Floresville, TX 78114

🗳️💙 For Guadalupe County Voters

📅 Early Voting Dates:
✔️ Oct. 20–24: 8AM–5PM
✔️ Oct. 25 (Sat): 7AM–7PM
✔️ Oct. 26 (Sun): 12PM–6PM
✔️ Oct. 27–31: 7AM–7PM

📍 Multiple convenient locations across the county — New Braunfels, Cibolo, Seguin, Schertz, and more! Click here for the list of locations: https://aptg.co/R1DKm7 

🐻🗳️Your voice matters, Bears!. 💪💙
#BearCountryVotes #LaVerniaISD #BlueAndWhitePride #VATRE25 #EarlyVoting

📘 Did You Know? 💡

If approved by voters, the VATRE would result in a lower overall tax rate than last year, while also allowing La Vernia ISD to increase funding for staff pay and Maintenance & Operations.

This funding would help the district address key priorities using both local and state dollars.

🗳️ Learn more so you can make an informed choice:
👉 www.lvisd.org/page/vatre

🚨 Exciting things are happening at La Vernia Primary School! 🚨

We’re thrilled to announce the new addition to our campus is on the way — and it looks amazing! 🐻💙 With construction moving full steam ahead, we’re proud to share that the official ribbon cutting, and open house, is set for November 2025! ✂️🎉

Thanks to the support of our community and the 2023 Bond, our little Bears will soon enjoy new spaces designed for learning, growth, and endless possibilities! 📚✨

Let’s go, Bears! 🐾💙

📣🏡💙 If the VATRE passes, LVISD would have an overall tax rate reduction! 📣🏡💙

Based on an average taxable home value of $500,000, the overall tax rate will decrease from $1.0619 in 2024 to $1.0519 in 2025 — providing an estimated $50 in savings (not including any additional exemptions).

✅ Good to Know: Homeowners over 65 or those with a disability exemption have a tax ceiling, meaning school taxes are frozen and won't increase unless the home’s value goes up due to new additions.

📘 Learn more about VATRE: www.lvisd.org/page/vatre

🗳️ Voting Information:
Early Voting: October 20–October 31
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4

#LVISD #BearPride #VATRE2025

📣🐻 Does LVISD have school Monday? 📣🐻
✅ YES, we do – and we CAN’T WAIT to see you!

Our halls are ready, our Bear is pumped, and we’re kicking off the week with all the Blue & White pride! 💙🤍
Let’s make it a great Monday together, La Vernia!

🗓️ Need to double-check the calendar? Click here: https://aptg.co/NN0fHM

🎓🐾 Celebrating Excellence During National Principals Month! 🐾🎓

Today, we’re honoring the fearless leader of La Vernia High School — Brandi Hanselka! 💙🐻

Your leadership empowers students to dream big, achieve more, and carry that Bear pride into everything they do. From academics to athletics, you support every success and guide our Bears with wisdom, strength, and heart. 🔥📚

Thank you for your dedication to excellence and for being a true champion of La Vernia High School!

#BearStrong #LVProud #NationalPrincipalsMonth #WeAreLaVernia #BlueAndWhiteSpirit

📢 DID YOU KNOW?

La Vernia ISD’s VATRE 2025 proposal would result in a lower overall tax rate if approved by voters. 🐻💙

This Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) is designed to generate additional funding for the district without raising the total tax rate.

🗳️ Learn more about what this means for our schools and community:
👉 https://www.lvisd.org/page/vatre

#LVISD #VATRE25 #LaVerniaISD #BlueAndWhite #BearCountry

🎉🏫 National Principals Month Shout-Out! 🏫🎉

Today, we honor the heart of La Vernia Junior High — Bryan Caughlin! 🐻💙

With a fierce commitment to student success and a passion for creating a positive school culture, you lead our junior high Bears with strength, vision, and that signature Bear pride! 💪✨

From guiding students through these pivotal years to supporting teachers and families—you make a difference every single day.

Let’s hear it for our amazing Junior High Principal! 👏

#LVProud #BearStrong #NationalPrincipalsMonth #WeAreLaVernia