Assistant Principal Nick Guida has been one of the most involved administrators in implementing this system.

“One of the greatest responsibilities we have in education is to provide a safe learning environment for kids,” Guida said. “Here at Buffalo High School, I know how important it is for us to provide a safe environment, but also a culture that we try to hold onto for learning.”

Buffalo High School has wanted to have an open feel for a long time.

“The people that are coming to our school are either resources for our kids, parents, or are coming to be a part of of our school,” Guida said. “We want people to feel like they belong here, but we also want to make sure that people are here for the reasons that they need to be here for.”

Schools across the world have had to evolve to keep up. The vast majority of high schools in the state have systems like this in place. BHS worked with the Department of Homeland Security to examine at their facilities and make sure that they are taking every precaution to secure them. So far, there has been more positive feedback about this system than negative. Adults seem to appreciate this system, and so far students are learning to adapt to the new routine.

“If you don’t feel safe, you’re constantly thinking about things that are out of your control,” Guida said. “Learning and trying to be present in your classrooms is a challenge. We want to allow our kids to be in school, feel safe, feel that they’re in a place where they want to be and want to learn.”

Hoping to get an answer for his chronic headaches, Blake Trout ‘21 went to get an MRI. When the results came back, they were worse than anyone could have imagined. The scan revealed a golf-ball sized brain tumor causing his severe pain, which he later would refuse to let define him.

Two weeks later, at the University of Minnesota, Trout underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumor for further testing.

His tumor was cancerous and Trout was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in November 2017.

“I felt sad,” Trout said. “Not horribly, but enough to where I cried a little. I just could never understand why me. Why am I the one with cancer? Why am I the one that has to deal with this?”

Trout’s cancer fight began at the Mayo Clinic, where he would receive radiation treatment for 42 days, where Trout would spend Christmas and New Year’s, apart from his peers. While receiving treatment, Trout was not able to go home, instead, he stayed at the nearby Ronald McDonald house. This journey made Trout realize how fragile life can really be.

“I learned to be grateful and realize how quickly life can change,” Trout said. “One day I’m playing sports, and the next day I’m sitting in a hospital bed for the night.”

Trout’s parents, Jeff Trout and Tracy Sanner, stood by their son’s side the entire journey.

“Blake has taught me to be a better person,”  Sanner said. “I promise to live my life always knowing what we have been given and how much love we have to give.”

“Blake’s battle has reminded me not to take life for granted,” Jeff Trout said. “Slow down and enjoy each precious second you’re given with those you love. Focus on the things that truly matter and thank God for all his blessings.”

Ethan Hansen ‘21 has been friends with Trout since second grade and was the only friend allowed in Trout’s hospital room after his surgery. The duo’s friendship has changed since Trout’s diagnosis. Instead of spending time at school together, they now go to Timberwolves games, play Fortnite duos and plan to take a week-long vacation this upcoming summer to keep his mind off of treatment.

“Watching Blake go through this makes me very proud of him,” Hansen said. “He is fighting as hard as he can just to beat this stupid cancer. He is my best friend, and some days I just really miss seeing him. Now we only hang when he doesn’t have chemo.”

Trout is now receiving chemotherapy at the University of Minnesota every four to six weeks until October 2018. Trout does not attend high school due to his low immunity and rigorous appointment schedule.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason,” Trout said. “The doctors that I have are very talented, so I put my trust into their hands. I never fear death. God gives his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers.”

Buffalo High School welcomed students visiting from Saint Front School in Bergerac, France on April 6. Each student was hosted by a Buffalo family during their visit. The foreigners experienced American life by attending classes at BHS, visiting Mall of America, and watching a Minnesota Twins game. The French Exchange Students noticed many differences between American and French culture. One common theme being the differences in schools between countries. In essence, the students noticed more freedom and relationships within the school.

Mathieu Joliey

Host Student: James Oistad

Q: What was your first impression of students here?

A: “My first impression of students here, is their freedom. In France, we have to dress up for school [strict dress code]  but we don’t have a uniform. In France, we have to dress with accordance of our society. Here in America, you can tend to cut off you hair, [there’s] more freedom.”

Q: Is there anything unique about Buffalo that people here wouldn’t notice?

A: “Your classroom seems bizarre because it’s not very organized, you can make a circle with the table. In France, it’s very [rigid, unchanging rows].”

Kylian Sirin

Host Student: Aydin Scherber

Q: What did you think of Buffalo High School when you got here?

A: “This school is very modern, where my school at home is very old. Your school is very beautiful and big, I’m amazed.”

Q: What was your first impression of students here?

A: “All of the students are cool with me or all of the French. The students try to ask me questions, and I think that most of the students are great with exchange students.”

Carla Codgnotto-

Host Student: Audrey Green

Q: What was your first impression of students here?

A: “In America, anything and everything is big.”The students are very very nice and are very open-minded.”

Q: How are teachers here different?

A:“The teachers here are very cool! My math professor, Mr. Klingelhutz, is very very cool because he would act out equations, like transformations, and show me a visual way of learning. At home, it’s not good. Our schools are very closed and is mainly just lecturing.”

Flavie Pichot

Host Student: Juldyz Woodis

Q: What is your school like at home?

A: “We are not in school as long as you are here, we are in school longer and our holidays

are longer.”

Q: Is there anything unique about Buffalo that people here wouldn’t notice?  

A: “It’s weird that you guys drink in class or that you use your phones in class because we are not allowed to at home.”

Q: How are teachers here different?  

A: “In France, when you meet your new teacher, they just [introduce] their names and don’t explain their personal lives. Your teachers explain a lot, like their family and they talk about themselves.”