By TJ Lindberg
Newsletter 3rd Quarter - July-September 2020
Welcome Back THS Students & Faculty!
Dear Tempe High School Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Family, and Friends – This is our second quarterly newsletter (and our first of the school year) and we hope you are finding ways to beat the heat if you are here in the Valley during this (mostly) “NON-soon” season.
Even though the academic year is back in full swing, you can imagine that it looks quite a bit different than what we are normally accustomed to. The Foundation board would like to thank our new principal, Mr. Brian Guliford, for his leadership during these challenging times. Not only has he had to learn a COMPLETELY new school, faculty, and student body – but he has done this while navigating uncharted waters induced by our current pandemic. We have no doubt that Brian Guliford is ABSOLUTELY the right man in the right place at the right time.
As most of you know, many students across the United States – including most of the students at Tempe High School during this first quarter – are engaged in remote learning right now. [1] This remote learning model helps cut down on person-to-person contact to help reduce further transmission of the virus. However, this remote learning model is also dependent on stable wireless connections – and there are some THS families that lack stable wireless connections. FORTUNATELY, there are several conversations occurring with various parties at this point to meet this need, but if you know of someone who owns a business that specializes in delivering wi-fi services or if you are willing to donate money to the Foundation so we can equip these students with the appropriate resources, please contact our Treasurer/ CFO, Ray Murdock (’76): or donate at OnceABuffalo.org.
Given the current situation, we are still in the process of finalizing the Foundation/ alumni calendar for the year, but sadly, we have already made the decision to cancel our planned events through September and October (so there is NO Buffalo Classic Golf Tournament on the 19th of September and there is NO Buffalo Roundup in conjunction with homecoming this year).
We have NOT decided on the Veteran’s breakfast in November or if we will hold a Hall of Fame Game recognition ceremony this fall, [2] but we will announce that in the next newsletter. For planning purposes, though, I would not plan on any in-person alumni-related events for the rest of this calendar year.
We have NOT decided on the Veteran’s breakfast in November or if we will hold a Hall of Fame Game recognition ceremony this fall, but we’ll announce that in the next newsletter. For planning purposes, though, I would not plan on any in-person alumni-related events for the rest of this calendar year.
Coming Soon:
Check our website to see the current events.
Spring 2021: Ring of Honor Ceremony for the 2020 inductees (distinguished alumni)
Spring 2021: Buffalo Classic Golf Tournament – this is our PRIMARY FUNDRAISER for the year and is a GREAT time (even for non-golfers like me…) and all proceeds go to support our students. Please contact our Golf Chair, Matt Patt, ‘93 ([email protected]), if you are interested in playing or donating this spring.
We know these are challenging times for many members of the extended Buffalo Family, but we are convinced that local schools, churches, and grass-roots alumni organizations like the Buffalo Foundation really help knit communities together and enhance our collective resilience so we can successfully reach the “other side” of adverse situations.
Once a Buffalo, Always a Buffalo.
Thank You & GO BUFFS!
[1] In addition to remote learning options, the schools are also providing on campus work sites for students who need it, although no teachers are on site until October. Additionally, special education students and teachers will be on site as of August 31 st for those students who want in-person service.
[2] This year, we are scheduled to recognize the 40th anniversary of the state champion wrestling team and the 30th anniversary of the state runner up basketball team (and possibly others that I am not aware of).
