Ladera Elementary: Military-Connected Families
Welcome to Ladera Elementary!
We proudly welcome all military families as they transition into our community and school district. We are here to support you and the family during transitions, deployment and relocation. Ladera has many family engagement opportunities, programs and clubs for your students to enjoy! Learn more about our Resolution for the Support of Military Children and Families here.
Campus-based military liaisons serve as the primary point of contact for military-connected students and their families throughout your journey with us. MVISD Campus Military Liaisons have specific duties and responsibilities to advocate, connect and support all military-connected families. Read more about their roles and responsibilities here.
Campus-based military liaisons serve as the primary point of contact for military-connected students and their families throughout your journey with us. MVISD Campus Military Liaisons have specific duties and responsibilities to advocate, connect and support all military-connected families. Read more about their roles and responsibilities here.
We want to make sure we answer your questions and direct you to the right place if you are in need of assistance. We also work alongside our Joint Base San Antonio School Liaison to help with connecting you to military resources and information. If you are in need of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can help answer questions and connect you to organizations and/or programs that will help your family.
Resources for military families are included on this page with additional information available on our district website: https://www.mvisd.com/
Ladera Counselors and Campus-Based Military Liaisons:
Betsy Barrera Karen Johnson
830-521-6085 ext. 1732 830-521-6085 ext. 1731
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Ladera Family Links
Find information on attendance, child nutrition, registration, transportation, and more!
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We look forward to seeing YOU on campus this year!
Contact Ms. Barrera and Mrs. Johnson to sign up for our Parent Volunteer Program:
830-521-6085 ext. 1731 or 1732
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Military-Connected
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Interstate Compact
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Useful Resources:
Community Resources - Find useful information on educational, financial and medical
resources in our community.
Joint Base San Antonio is home to more than 200 mission partners across the three locations, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph. The 502nd Air Base Wing is the support wing that operates JBSA.
Region 20 is one of 20 regional education service agencies within Texas that assist school districts in improving student performance and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of school operations. They assist by responding to the needs of partners by providing an array of programs and services in the areas of support, curriculum, instruction and assessment, health and safety, professional development, specialized services, and technology.
MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve educational challenges associated with a military lifestyle.
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Deployment Resources
Information on preparing for deployment, supporting children during deployment, and connecting to family services for every branch.
Counseling Services
Military One Source from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. When military life happens, it is your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.
Additional Resources
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Ladera Celebrates and Recognizes Mentorship Programs
Amongst Our Military-Connected Staff and Our Military-Connected Students
Student-Led Student Transition & Student Leadership Opportunities
At Ladera Elementary, we believe connection is key. We are committed to fostering a positive, military-supportive school climate where all students feel welcomed, valued, and connected. Our student-led transition efforts are designed to support new students—especially military-connected students as they acclimate to a new school environment. These efforts help ease transitions, promote a sense of belonging, foster meaningful relationships, and encourage ongoing connections within both the school and the broader community.
Anchored4Life provides opportunities for peers to enhance social skills, learn leadership skills, build character, improve self-esteem, and integrate into their community. Students will learn these change and resiliency skills using the Club features.
Anchored4Life Program
Established in 2025, Anchored4Life is a peer-to-peer, student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive school environment, support academic success, build connections through service, and ease school transitions. At Ladera Elementary, our Anchored4Life plays a vital role in ensuring students feel connected from their very first day.
What Anchored4Life Looks Like at Ladera Elementary
Our campus-based Anchored4Life team:
- Welcomes every new student on their first day
- Provides a campus tour and a welcome packet, including a map of important locations around the school and class schedules
- Serves as student ambassadors and peer mentors to guide new students through their transition
- Ensures new students have peer connections, including support during lunch
- Checks in with new students after their first few days and weeks
- Hosts social events and meetings to build relationships and strengthen connections
- Participates in school and community service projects
- Promotes a positive, inclusive, and supportive campus culture
- Educates staff, families, and the community about the Anchored4Life mission
- Provides meaningful support when students transition away from the campus
- Seeks guidance from the Anchored4Life sponsor when additional student support is needed
Anchored4Life Core Values
Students make a positive impact on their school and community by modeling core values of the Anchored4Life program:
- Leadership: Student character growth
- Academics: Support for educational success
- Service: Outreach and advocacy
- Climate and Culture: Promoting a positive school environment
- Relationships: Building meaningful connections
- 100% Acceptance: Ensuring a sense of belonging for all students
Contact Your Ladera Counselors for more information:
Betsy Barrera Karen Johnson
830-521-6085 ext. 1732 830-521-6085 ext. 1731
Mentor Program, Lunch Bunch Groups, Community Service and More. . . .
MVHS Air Force JROTC Trained our 25-26
Safety Patrol Crew
25-26 Community Events at Ladera Elementary
MVISD Military Family Night
August
Ladera Leaders Welcome New Students and Families to Campus: Meet the Teacher!
Students and families feel welcome and are ready to learn
September
Patriots Day: Recognizing our Military and First Responders at Morning Drop-Off
Fall Open House 2025
The Parent-Teacher Organization Supports Our Military Community with Monthly Meetings
October
Students Enjoy a Performance by the United States Air Force Band of the West in Honor of Red Ribbon Week
Student Council and Ladera Lyrics Celebrate November: Month of the Military Family
Honoring Our Military for Veterans' Day
A Special Video of Ladera Veterans!
Ladera Students Crafted Special Cards to Send Overseas. . . . . .AND We Received Conformation our Package was RECEIVED!
Veteran's Day Parade!
Thanksgiving Family Picnic
December
Supporting the Community for the Holidays
Students work together to give back to the community prior to the holiday season.
Wreaths Across America 2025
Winter Celebration
Students celebrated their many successes with a holiday gathering prior to Winter Break.
February
It is never to early to be College, Career and Military Ready: Career Day!
Ladera welcomes service men and women to share their educational pathway and career choices with students in PreK - 5th grade classrooms.
Ladera Mailed Valentine Care Packages to Our Active Military Families Away on Deployment
March
Celebrating Read Across America!
Spring Picnic:
Bonding as a Military-Connected Community
April
Month of the Military Child
Family Celebrations
A Special Veteran Visitor on Campus Assisted Safety Patrol at the End of the Day Prior to a Holiday Weekend
Purple Up for Military Kids!
A Special Guest Visit from CAMO:
CAMO is short for "Children Adapting to Military Operations." CAMO is a symbol of hope and a reminder that the journey of military life does not need to be done alone.
Books with the Brave!
Special April PTO Dedicated to Our
Military-Connected Families
Military-Connected Lunch Bunches
Students enjoy gathering to share experiences and create crafts.
Military-Dedicated Fiesta Float Parade
May
Ladera's Gifted and Talented Showcase had a special project for
Military-Connected Families
Recognizing Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Field Day Fun with Fierce Soldiers!
End of the Year Celebrations!
Summer Ready!
EOY Picnic
Weekly Lunch with our Heroes!
Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to make a positive impact at Ladera, consider becoming a volunteer and be a role model for all children on campus. Parents on Patrol (P.O.P.S.) must complete a background check and a required training prior to signing up to spend a day with us on campus. Contact our Counselors Ms. Barrera and Mrs. Johnson for more information at 830-521-6085 ext. 1732 or ext. 1731.
Ladera Elementary LOVES their Military Community!
