It’s hard to believe the 26-27 course selection process is gearing up! As your Northfield High School International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator, I would like to remind everyone that Northfield is an IB for All school.
At Northfield, we believe that all students deserve the opportunity to engage in rigorous coursework that not only challenges them but also offers a chance to earn college credit. We also value its holistic approach in connecting all students’ learning together.
At Northfield, students in grades 9 and 10 take courses to prepare them for future IB classes. At the end of 10th grade, students have the opportunity to select if they want to pursue the full IB Diploma Program or move into the IB program as a Course Student.
This is a big decision to make! To help guide the conversation, here is a video that goes over the two pathways:
Reina Cruz
Assistant Principal Grades 10-12, IB and Assessments Coordinator
School is in session on Friday, April 17. It is not a Professional Development Day.
To better support students during assessment week on April 13, we are updating the calendar. Friday, April 17 will now be a student contact day.
Please follow the schedule below. Additional details will be shared soon.
Assessment Week Schedule
Northfield is thrilled to welcome Yukta Thadi to the Nighthawk family. Teaching both Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering, Yukta brings a high-level technical perspective to our CTE pathway, working with students across all grade levels to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application
Professional Background
Yukta’s journey to education is rooted in industry expertise. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and spent over two years as a Software Engineer. While her engineering passion began during her studies in India, it was her experience mentoring interns and colleagues in the tech world that inspired her transition into full-time teaching.
In Her Words
Though this is her first year in the classroom, Yukta has found a natural home at Northfield. “I was nervous on my first day, but the warm smiles and constant support from my coworkers quickly made me feel at home,” she shares. “No two days are ever the same—every day comes with new energy from the students, and I’ve learned just as much from them as they have from me!”
Beyond the curriculum, Yukta treasures the inclusive culture of the school. “The genuine curiosity my colleagues have shown regarding my background and culture has created a deep sense of belonging. The ‘good vibes’ here make this an incredibly welcoming place to work.”
“We’re lucky to have Yukta Thadi join the Nighthawk family. Her innovative perspective, team-oriented approach, and relentless work ethic have already made a significant difference in our CTE Engineering pathway.” — Brad Kizer, Assistant Principal & CTE Director
Yukta thrives on the unpredictable nature of the job, noting that teaching grades 9–12 ensures there is at least one moment every day that “keeps her on her toes!”
At Northfield, we often talk about the Innovation Edge. This isn’t just about what happens in the classroom; it’s about how we structure our time to best support our students and staff. Thanks to our status as an Innovation school, we have the privilege of working with a calendar waiver that allows us to build upon the district’s foundation to meet the specific needs of the Nighthawk community.
This waiver is a tool for precision. It allows us to identify Northfield-specific professional learning days that align directly with our school’s unique goals. While we remain closely connected to the district’s broader mission, this flexibility ensures our educators have dedicated time to focus on the specific programs and instructional strategies that define the Northfield experience.
By making thoughtful, localized adjustments to the calendar, we are able to prioritize a schedule that reflects our community’s rhythm:
We are grateful for the flexibility provided by our district partnership. It allows us to be “Northfield-focused” while remaining part of a larger educational family. By utilizing this waiver, we aren’t just filling dates on a page—we are designing a year that sets every Nighthawk up for success.
Read the Innovation Renewal Application
The window for the 2026–2027 course selection is officially open.Students can begin submitting their course selection requests for the 2026-2027 school year.
The selection window is brief, and timing is everything. Students must submit their choices via their student-access Google Form by Monday, Feb. 23, at 8:30 a.m.
Why the deadline matters: Our master schedule is built based on these initial requests. Students who miss this window will have very limited options and will be scheduled based on remaining availability rather than personal preference.
While the selection form must be completed by the student, we encourage you to sit down with them this weekend to review the Course Catalog. Check in to ensure they have a balanced load that aligns with their graduation requirements and post-secondary goals.
The Visual Arts Department is thrilled to invite our community to the Winter Visual Arts Showcase! The exhibition will be on display from February 17–27, with an open reception on February 19 from 5:00–7:00 PM.
Student artwork will be showcased in the lobby of Building 5, highlighting the creativity and dedication of our visual arts classes. During the reception, the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) will also be hosting a bake sale to support club initiatives and community projects.
We warmly invite everyone to stop by, experience the artwork, and celebrate the incredible talent and hard work of our student artists!
The National Art Honor Society will be there with snacks and refreshments for sale!
Northfield High School is proud to launch our Sponsorship Program, inviting community partners to expand the horizons of what our students can achieve. These partnerships provide vital funding for schoolwide priorities across academics, athletics, and student-led initiatives, ensuring every Nighthawk has the resources to excel.
We offer several partnership tiers designed to showcase your organization to our community:
All contributions directly benefit Northfield students by enhancing their experiences in the arts, sports, and leadership.
Ready to partner with us? View the full program details and sign up on our Sponsorship Webpage.
Every year, February 15th is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! This year, that’s a Sunday. We want to take a moment to celebrate our very own Officer Jones for everything he does to keep our campus safe, mentored, and supported.
Officer Jones is a vital part of our community—whether he’s bridging gaps between law enforcement and our youth or just providing a friendly face in the halls. We are lucky to have him!
How to show your support: Next time you see Officer Jones on campus, please join us in giving him a big “thank you” or a high-five for his dedication to our students and staff.
Review the senior timeline of events that keep you prepared for graduation!
Attention Class of 2026! Senior Picture Day is officially scheduled for Thursday, March 12. Don’t miss this chance to capture your milestone moment in your cap and gown.
Packages range from basic digital downloads to ultimate print bundles, so be sure to check out the options today.
Looking for a summer job that actually looks good on a resume? Denver International Airport (DEN) is hiring high school “DENterns” for 10-week paid internships!
Specifically, the Parking & Transportation department is looking for a student with sharp critical thinking and research skills to join their team.
Are you a Black high schooler crushing it in class and in your community? Colorado Senate President James Coleman wants to celebrate YOU!
The 3rd Annual Black Student Excellence Award honors students (grades 9–12) who are leading the way and making moves. This is a huge resume builder and a chance to get recognized by state leadership!
Calling all Denver-area changemakers ages 12–18! Colorado Rising for Communities is officially launching the 2026 Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), and we want you to lead the way.
As a YAC member, you’ll earn a stipend to co-create climate campaigns, build leadership skills, and work toward your DPS Seal of Climate Literacy. We meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month, starting February 15th!
Two ways to get involved right now:
Learn more: corfc.org/youth-rising/
The Northfield Foundation is giving away five $3,000 scholarships to help you pay for what’s next. Don’t leave free money on the table! Visit their webpage for the details!
Shoutout to all of our winter athletes as we are approaching the final stretch of our regular season
Let’s go, Nighthawks!
Stay up to date: Check the full schedule of Nighthawk games here
Tickets: Purchase online or in person via GoFan.
Can’t attend? Most games are available to watch through a HUDL subscription: https://www2.hudl.com/
NOTE: Starting this Spring season the district will be switching over to a new platform for fans to stay connected with real time updates to our sports schedules for all teams. https://www.arbiterlive.com/School/42928
Let’s show up, show out, and cheer on our Nighthawks!
Registration for Spring sports is now open!
Please stop by and see Mr. Ocansey or Ms. Shea if you have any questions or need further assistance.
As you tackle spring cleaning, please save your musical instruments for the Northfield Music Department!
This student-led initiative is organized by our Tri-M Music Honor Society—a national organization of student musicians dedicated to leadership and service. Our goal is to ensure every Northfield student has access to an instrument, and we need your help to grow our program.
Heads up: Now is the perfect time to dig through the attic or basement! We will provide specific drive-up and drop-off instructions in the next newsletter.
Questions? Reach out to Mr. Moen at mark_moen@dpsk12.net.
Would you rather wrestle Abraham Lincoln or John Quincy Adams’ pet alligator?