The Grizzly Gazette Vol. 7
December 20th, 2024
SLZHS Weekly Newsletter
Principal's Corner
Dear SLZHS Community,
I am honored to join the San Lorenzo High School community as your new principal. With over 34 years in education, including 16 years in administration, I bring a deep commitment to fostering student success and building strong, inclusive school communities.
Throughout my career, I have focused on creating environments that prioritize student-centered learning, equity, and collaboration. My leadership has been guided by transparent communication, innovative practices, and a dedication to improving school culture. Most recently, I served as principal at Westmoor High School, where I was recognized as the Administrator of the Year (2023–2024) for the Jefferson Union High School District. I believe in an open-door policy and am committed to building meaningful relationships with students, staff, families, and the larger community. Together, we will ensure that every student at San Lorenzo High School has the tools and support needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
I am excited to work alongside all of you to continue the incredible work already happening here and to build on our collective successes. Let’s make 2025 a great year for San Lorenzo High School!
Have a great Grizzly break and a happy new year.
Dr. Brock Ahrens, Principal SLz
The Week Ahead: Important Dates
No School Monday 12/23/24 - Friday 01/03/25
- School resumes Monday, January 6th at 8:30
- No School - Friday, January 10th, 2025 - Teacher Work Day
Community Schools
Our Latino student group, La Raza, with support from our community schools program, hosted a community celebration of La Posada last Friday. We had over 100 people in attendance with baile folclorico, arts activities for children, and a delicious meal.
We will be back in the late winter with another event for Black History Month. Stay tuned.
College and Career Counseling Department
I applied celebration!
This past Monday, our college and career counseling team hosted an "I applied" celebration at lunch to honor those seniors who worked tirelessly to complete and submit their applications to college and university. While they wait to hear back on their acceptance letters, the counseling team will be bringing families educational events to better navigate the financial aid and college preparation activities.
Parents/Legal Guardians of Senior students: The counselors are hosting Cash 4 College on January 23, 2024 from 6-8 in D-Hall. Your senior student will have more information on what documents to bring next semester.
Dual Enrollment Offering for 2025
We’re now enrolling students for Spring 2025 Dual Enrollment classes. These classes are open to all students and provide the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits. This spring, we’re offering two classes:
- PSCN 10: Career and Education Counseling (2.00 Units)
Tuesdays | 3:50 PM – 4:50 PM
Taught by our very own counselor, Ms. Yu!
- SOCI 2: Principles of Sociology (3.00 Units)
Mondays | 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Wednesdays | 2:20 PM – 3:40 PM
Student Support Referral
Our SLZ Coordination of Services Team (COST) is a team that serves to provide academic, behavioral, mental, emotional, and overall wellness support and assistance to the students in our learning community. Our services range from providing referrals to therapeutic services, arranging parent meetings, or finding food security for families. This team is designed to work together to help teachers, students, and families with a variety of services.
The San Lorenzo High School team made up of administrators, teachers, counselors, our school site social worker, La Clinica staff, and Ashland REACH staff.
ELD Program
Click the link below to read the most recent edition of our ELD monthly newsletter.
Athletics
Spring sports will begin in February. We offer men's volleyball, women's softball, men's baseball, track and field (co-ed) and badminton (co-ed). Any student interested in playing should see the athletic director.
12/27-12/30
Frosh Boys' Basketball - Dougherty Valley Tournament
01/02/25
Boys' JV/Varsity Basketball Away @ Mission San Jose @ 5:30/7:00
01/04/25
Boys' Frosh, JV/Varsity Basketball Away @ Livermore @ 2:00/3:30/5:00
Construction Update
Please see below for updates on various construction projects taking place on campus!
Phase 1 (Restrooms in A Hall, B Hall, and both restrooms in the gym) of the Restroom Restoration is complete. All of the restrooms that were under construction prior to Thanksgiving Break are open.
Phase 2 of the Restroom Restoration is began last week. This phase will include: A Hall Boys RR, A Hall Staff RR (West Side) and Both Staff RR's at the cafeteria. This phase is expected to be completed after Winter Break. Further updates are to come.
Construction crews are continuing to install fencing around the perimeter of the campus. They began in October, near the west gym, and are now continuing their work at the front of the school.
Construction crews are also continuing their work on installing HVAC units for classrooms that are currently without them. This project is tentatively expected to be completed by the Spring of 2025.
Activities and Clubs
- Board Game Club - Meets Tuesdays at lunch in room C-9 to play board games.
- College and Career Club - Hosts 3-4 college and career presentations per month in room D-8 to explore college and career opportunities.
- Crochet Club - Meets Mondays in room C-2 to learn how to crochet.
- Druids Club - - Meets Wednesdays in room C-8 and is a paid internship program that works to create and maintain our native forest on campus.
- Game Club - Meets Thursdays in the library during lunch to play board games.
- K-Pop Performance - Meets Mondays in room D-12 to learn and perform K-Pop dances.
- La Raza - Meets Mondays in room N-5 to explore and celebrate Latino heritage.
- Nature Club - Meets Tuesdays at lunch in room A-1 to explore and engage in environmental awareness and activism.
- Poly Club - Meets Wednesdays in room A-12 to explore and celebrate Polynesian heritage.
- TUPE - Please email emair@slzusd.org for more information. This is our Tobacco, Use, and Prevention Education club that works to educate students about the risks of smoking and vaping.
- Videogame Club - Meets Thursdays in room C-8 to explore and play videogames.
- Open Library - The library is open every day before school starting at 8 a.m., during break, lunch, and after school until 4 p.m. Come to the library to read and check out books, do homework, use the computers, relax, or play games. See you in the library!