La Vernia Independent School District

📣 Attention Residents 65 & Older! 🏡✨

Did you know? Once you receive an Over-65/Disability Homestead Exemption, your school taxes are frozen – meaning they won’t go up as long as you own and live in your home (unless you make additions that would increase the value of the home)! 💙🐻

📘 Learn more at 👉 https://www.lvisd.org/page/vatre
#CommunitySupport #BlueAndWhitePride #BearStrong #TexasTaxTip

💰 How does the VATRE money add up? Let’s break it down! 🧮🐻

If VATRE is approved, La Vernia ISD would receive:
🔹 $970,997 in Local Tax Revenue
🔹 $566,294 in Additional State Aid
That’s approximately ~$1.5 MILLION every year

These funds go directly toward competitive staff pay and ongoing maintenance. 🐻

📲 Learn more: www.lvisd.org/page/vatre
#LVVATRE25 #BearPride #LaVerniaISD #BlueAndWhite

🎃👩‍🍳 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