As I close out my third year as principal of Northfield High School, I have found myself reflecting on just how much I have learned.
When people think about leadership, they often assume that growth comes from training, books, conferences, or experience. While all of those things matter, the greatest lessons I have learned have come from the people around me.
Over the last three years, our students have taught me about resilience, courage, and the importance of seeing possibility in every challenge. Our staff have challenged me to think differently, communicate more clearly, and continue growing as a leader. Our families and community have reminded me that schools are strongest when we work together in service of something bigger than ourselves.
Leadership has a way of humbling you. There have been moments of celebration and moments of struggle. There have been decisions that felt easy and others that carried tremendous weight. Through it all, I have learned that leadership is less about having all the answers and more about listening, learning, reflecting, and staying grounded in your values.
As I reflect on this year, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for our students who inspire us, our staff who give so much of themselves, our families who trust us, and our community who continues to support Northfield High School.
Thank you for helping me grow, for challenging me, and for reminding me why this work matters.
I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am excited for what lies ahead. Have a wonderful summer.
Today, just like each and every day, is a great day to be a Nighthawk.
Jessica Rodriguez Bracey
Principal
Please note that Denver Public Schools has made a shift to the upcoming school year calendar.
What changed? A professional learning day (no school for students) originally scheduled for September 21st coincided with the observance of Yom Kippur. To ensure our calendar remains inclusive of our diverse community, DPS has officially moved this professional learning day to September 28th.
Because of this change, Northfield High School has updated our school-specific Academic Calendar to match.
What you need to do: Please download and save the newly revised copy of the calendar so your family’s schedule is accurate for the fall.
If you have any questions, please contact us at nhscommunications@dpsk12.net.
Parents and Guardians, enrollment season is in full swing, and we need your help planning for the upcoming school year!
If your student is moving on and will not be returning to Northfield for the 2026–27 school year, please let us know as soon as possible so we can support your transition and accurately plan our staffing and resources.
Thank you so much for your cooperation and for helping us prepare for next year!
We are thrilled to announce that construction on the new addition to Building 1, which will house our brand-new Performing Arts Wing, will officially begin this summer!
This exciting project is possible thanks to the incredible support of our community and the voters who approved funding for these campus improvements. We are deeply grateful for your continued investment in Northfield High School and in creating expanded opportunities and spaces for our students.
While the summer construction won’t impact our current operations, it will affect campus traffic and parking starting this fall.
We know these traffic adjustments may cause temporary inconveniences, and we truly appreciate everyone’s patience, flexibility, and cooperation as we navigate this transition together.
We are incredibly excited for what this new facility will bring to our students, staff, and community for years to come. Thank you again for your continued support of Northfield High School and the future of our Nighthawks!
If your 11th-grade student still has a school-issued calculator, please ensure they keep it safe over the summer and bring it back in the fall.
Thank you for your help in getting these materials back to our math classrooms!
Q1: Will the front office be open over break?
A1: It will be open from 9a-2p during the week from June 1 to June 29. It will be closed from July 1 – July 17.
Q2. I missed the district’s Early Bird registration; when does it reopen?
A2. District registration re-opens on July 27th. Details are online at the District Registration page.
Q3. Can my student complete community service hours during the summer break?
A3. Already enrolled students who complete verified community service will have those hours applied to the 30 hour graduation requirement. Incoming 9th graders and ‘New to Northfield’ students must wait until they begin classes at Northfield for community service hours to count toward the graduation total. Current students can upload hours into x2VOL.
Q4: When will grades be finalized and how can we get them?
A4: Final grades will be available in Infinite Campus by Monday, June 8.
Q5: Who can help me with transcripts, enrollment questions and Infinite Campus?
A5: The registrar, Ana Bustos Soto at ana_bustossoto@dpsk12.net.
Q6: My student got their driver’s license over the summer, how do they get a parking pass?
A6: We’ll share that information with students (and families) prior to the in-person enrollment on Aug. 13th and 14th.
Q7: When can I get a copy of my student’s schedule?
A7: Students can access their schedules through the student portal beginning on August 18 or through an early preview of their schedule at In-Person Enrollment on August 13 and 14.
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers, families, and supporters who helped make this an incredibly successful year for the Northfield High School Foundation! Because of your generosity and time, this year the Foundation was able to:
Looking ahead, the Foundation is already gearing up for the 2026–2027 school year, including partnering with the district on major upcoming capital improvements at the school.
To continue this vital work, the Foundation is looking for passionate individuals to join the team for the upcoming school year. There are opportunities for casual volunteers, as well as four open seats on our Board of Directors (typically a two-year term).
Board members simply need a Northfield affiliation—meaning current parents, staff, and local community members are all welcome to apply!
Expressing interest carries no immediate obligation. If you would like to volunteer or are curious about what a board position entails, please fill out the Northfield Foundation Volunteer Interest Form. A member of the Foundation team will reach out to you with detailed commitment information this August.
Thank you for helping us champion the future of our Nighthawks!
by Coach Keane Sumner
Nighthawk Ultimate frisbee has been growing at Northfield for three years now. The Varsity Nighthawks battled hard at the state tournament coming in 4th place after a hard fought battle against Fairview High School. They finished the season 14-6. We say goodbye to our seniors Andrew Geddes, Quinn Varner, and Nolan Anderson.
The JV Nighthawks Ultimate frisbee team had a wonderful year finishing 11-1-1 for the season. In the state tournament we battled hard, after starting the tournament with 14 players and ending with 8 due to injuries, but ended up 5th in the state tournament after beating Longmont/Mead 9-5 in the final game of the weekend. We also won the Spirit award which recognizes the team or player who best exemplifies “Spirit of the Game” (SOTG)—the sport’s core tradition of self-refereeing, fair play, and mutual respect.
The DPS Board of Education is excited to share a unique opportunity for rising juniors and seniors to get involved in local government! The Denver Student Ambassador Program is officially accepting applications, offering students the chance to serve directly on a city Human Rights & Community Partnerships (HRCP) Commission.
This is an incredible way for young leaders to make a real-world impact while preparing for their futures.
Learn More & Apply for the Student Ambassador Program
Are you planning on playing a Fall Sport next school year? Now is the time to start preparing! Visit the Athletics page on our website for full coaches’ contact information regarding offseason schedules.
Mark your calendars! Tryouts officially begin on the following dates:
Our community partners at Northfield Young Life invite local students to stay connected over the break at their upcoming Summer Club events. Gatherings will focus on fun, food, faith, and community.
Summer Club Dates:
• June 9th @ 6:30 PM — MANDATORY for students attending Young Life Summer Camp the following week
• June 23rd @ 6:30 PM
• July 13th @ City Park Denver — Time TBD (updates will be shared in the GroupMe App)
• July 28th @ 6:30 PM — Back to School Summer BBQ & Family Fun Day
Stay Connected This Summer!
Follow us on Instagram @GNE_YL
Questions? Reach out to:
Nicole Jones at Nicole.Jones@eliteworkforceconsultingllc.com
Felicia Curvin at Felicia@denveryl.org
Get a head start on next year! The DPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team is hosting a NEW personalized shopping experience at our Community Hubs. Students can pick out free, grade-level backpacks and school supplies in a relaxed, stress-free environment.
How to Participate: To avoid long lines, shopping is by appointment only during the week of August 10–14, 2026.
All DPS families are welcome. Help us ensure every student starts the new year ready to succeed!
After nearly three decades of incredible service, Cami Jensen, our GT/Credit Recovery Coordinator, is embarking on a well-deserved retirement. Remarkably, her 28 years with DPS—including the last nine wonderful years here at NHS—represent the only “real job” she has ever had, a true testament to her loyalty and deep commitment to our community.
Principal Rodriguez Bracey wants everyone to know that, “Cami would probably say she simply showed up every day to help young people discover their potential and know they mattered. But her impact has been much larger than that. She helped build traditions, programs, and relationships that will continue long after her retirement. Northfield and Denver Public Schools are better because of the compassion, dedication, and humanity she brought to education every single day.”
Reflecting on her time with us, Cami shares that what she will miss most are the deeply rooted relationships she built with both students and staff. Her favorite memories are woven into the daily triumphs of education. “I’ll carry with me the laughter, the breakthroughs, and the privilege of witnessing young people become who they’re meant to be,” Cami says, “and knowing I had something to do with it.”
As she steps into this exciting next chapter, Cami has plenty of wonderful plans on the horizon. She is most looking forward to traveling the world with her husband, rescuing old dogs, volunteering, and—of course—enjoying the simple luxury of sleeping in.
Thank you, Cami, for making our school a place of hope and breakthrough for so many years. We wish you the happiest of retirements!
After a remarkable career dedicated to shaping young minds, Spanish teacher Juan Rivera-Meraza is preparing to turn the page to his next chapter. Juan brings a wealth of international experience to our community; before spending the last 20 wonderful years teaching here in the United States, he spent many years educating students in Mexico.
“Juan has always been the kind of teacher who listened without judgment, offered help whenever it was needed, and believed that one encouraging word could help a student recognize their own potential. Whether teaching in the classroom or coaching on the field, he worked to build confidence, foster belonging, and remind students that they were capable of more than they realized,” noted Principal Rodriguez Bracey.
When looking back at his time with us, Juan notes that the daily camaraderie is what he will miss the most—specifically his students and his fantastic colleagues. Some of his absolute favorite memories come from the lunchtime gatherings spent with the World Language department, where they would relax, laugh, and swap stories about their experiences in education.
As he steps into a well-deserved retirement, Juan is looking forward to the simpler pleasures in life. His immediate plans? To just relax, unwind, and enjoy a good cup of coffee alongside a great book.
Thank you, Juan, for your decades of dedication to global education. We wish you a beautiful and relaxing retirement!