I am incredibly proud of our Student Council leaders, who planned, organized, and facilitated Northfield’s inaugural K.I.N.D. Week; Kindness Inspires Nighthawks Daily. What began as a student-led effort to promote positivity quickly became something much deeper; a reflection of who we are as a community and how we show up for one another.
Throughout the week, our students created intentional opportunities to recognize, uplift, and support others. They organized a spirit week, distributed K.I.N.D. pins, hosted a staff versus student basketball game, and created moments of connection across our campus that brought joy and energy to our community.
At the heart of this week was Quinn; a 12-year-old girl courageously fighting a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. Our students chose to center their efforts around her story, organizing ways to raise funds ($1500 and counting), show support, and remind her and her family that they are not alone. In doing so, they extended the reach of our community beyond our building and into something larger; compassion without boundaries.
K.I.N.D. Week highlighted something we believe deeply at Northfield: who we are to each other matters; and it shapes the kind of community we continue to build together.
While K.I.N.D. Week has officially wrapped at school, our support for Quinn and her family continues. We are so proud of the $2,000 already raised, but it is not too late to contribute to this meaningful cause.
Thank you for proving that at Northfield, kindness isn’t just a week—it’s who we are.
Jessica Rodriguez Bracey
If you’ve wandered near the World Languages wing, you’ve likely encountered the energy of Kristina Harlan. With 26 years of teaching under her belt—including 22 years in Chicago before moving to Denver four years ago—Kristina has quickly become a cornerstone of the Northfield community.
As a Spanish teacher and the World Languages Team Specialist, Kristina is a champion for “real-world” communication. In her classroom, it’s not just about conjugating verbs; it’s about building student confidence, encouraging them to take linguistic risks, and celebrating their growth as they move toward true proficiency.
Kristina’s impact stretches far beyond her own classroom. As a Team Specialist, she collaborates with her colleagues to refine instructional practices, ensuring a unified, proficiency-based approach to language learning across the department.
Kristina believes that some of the most meaningful connections happen outside of a graded environment. She keeps a busy schedule sponsoring three distinct student organizations:
“Sponsoring these clubs gives me the chance to connect with students in more informal, meaningful ways,” Kristina says. “It’s about creating spaces where every student feels a true sense of belonging.”
Whether she’s helping a student find their voice in a second language or working behind the scenes to support her fellow teachers, Kristina’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our school is unmatched. We are so glad she and her husband chose to make Denver—and Northfield—their home!
Experience an immersive showcase of creativity, dedication, and artistic vision. This week, Northfield transforms the Building 5 Lobby into a professional gallery featuring the capstone works of our International Baccalaureate (IB) Visual Arts and Film students.
From diverse SL and HL visual portfolios to original cinematic storytelling, these works are the result of years of inquiry, technical experimentation, and personal reflection. We invite the entire community to witness the artistic growth of our Nighthawk creators.
Meet the artists, discuss their process, and enjoy the premiere of student-led films.
Don’t miss this chance to support our seniors as they celebrate their creative journey!
Transitioning to high school is a major milestone, and at Northfield, we believe the first year sets the tone for a student’s entire academic career. Thanks to our Innovation Zone budget flexibility, we are proud to continue funding a dedicated 9th Grade Advisory Team.
This specialized “home base” ensures that every freshman has a consistent support system to help them navigate the jump to high school life and the rigor of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
The Innovation Edge Standard district funding models don’t always allow for these types of specialized, grade-specific advisory teams. By utilizing our “Actuals vs. Averages” budget savings, we are able to prioritize this crucial transition year—ensuring that no student falls through the cracks and that every Nighthawk starts their journey with the tools they need to succeed.
We are thrilled to announce that our Multi-Intensive Autism (MI-A) team has been awarded a $1,600 grant from the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s A to Z Fund!
This specific award, the Rockies STEM Day Fund, is a huge win for our students. These funds are dedicated to making science, technology, engineering, and math come alive outside of the classroom. For our MI-A students, this grant provides a unique opportunity to engage in high-interest, community-based learning that builds both academic skills and real-world confidence.
A massive thank you to the DPS Foundation for their support and to our incredible MI-A staff for their hard work in securing this funding for our Nighthawks!’
Review the senior timeline of events that keep you prepared for graduation!
Did you know you need 30 verified community service hours to walk across that stage? Don’t wait until May to start! Here is your quick-start guide to getting them done and logged.
Questions? You can always stop by the library and speak with Ms. Ritter or go online to the volunteer webpage.
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | Graduation Program Art Due | Send art to Dr. Martin at bonnie_martin@dpsk12.net |
| 4/10 | Graduation Speech Submissions Due | Send typed copies of your speech to allison_cetak@dpsk12.net |
| 4/14-15 | Graduation Speech Auditions | Please check your school email for details! |
| 4/15 | Prom Behavior Cutoff | No behavior incidents after this date to attend Prom. See your dean for details. |
| 4/20 | Senior Week | Check posters, social media, and Schoology for details! |
| 5/1 | Fees Due for Prom Eligibility | All fees are paid with Ms. Piria in the main office to purchase tickets. |
| 5/1 | Prom Outside Guest Form Due | Turn in forms to Mr. Ritter in the front office by 4:00 PM. |
| 5/1 | Community Service Hours Due | Log hours in x2VOL. Talk to Ms. Ritter in the library for help. |
| 5/9 | Prom | Make sure to bring your ID! |
| 5/20 | Senior Awards | Regalia will be handed out this evening (or at grad practice). |
| 5/22 | Graduation Practice | Mandatory if you plan on walking. Check Schoology/email for details. |
| 5/28 | Graduation | Arrive at DU by 11:30 AM. Wear cap, gown, and school-approved regalia. |
Our winter seasons may be wrapping up, but the trophy case is getting crowded! Join us in celebrating these incredible achievements across our Northfield community:
A massive thank you to Coach Olivia Allen! Not only is she an essential part of our teaching staff, but her dedication to our student-athletes is unmatched. After a strong finish with the Girls Swim & Dive team, she jumped straight into the Men’s Swim & Dive spring season without missing a beat. We appreciate your tireless work ethic, Coach!
Huge congratulations to senior Judah Michael! Judah officially capped off his high school basketball career by being named the DPS Player of the Year. What an incredible legacy to leave at Northfield!
Our Nighthawks dominated at the City League Harvard Gulch event:
High-fives to all of our Winter Sport athletes who earned All-City League honors! Whether you were named 1st Team, 2nd Team, or Honorable Mention, your hard work kept Northfield on the map this winter. We are incredibly proud of your grit and sportsmanship.
Best of luck to all of our Spring Sports teams as they head into the heart of their seasons. Let’s keep that Nighthawk momentum rolling!
The track is fast, and our Nighthawk athletes are officially in action. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or tuning in from home, here’s everything you need to know to stay in the loop this week.
After two thrilling 2–2 draws on the road, our soccer teams are ready to Defend the Nest. Let’s pack the stands and bring the noise for our first home games of the year!
Tuesday, March 24 vs. Broomfield
Thursday, March 26 @ Montbello HS
Good luck to all our athletes on the field, court, and track this week. Let’s show up and show out!
Let’s show up, show out, and cheer on our Nighthawks!
Grab your crew and get ready to swing into spring at our 2nd Annual Birdies & Brews!
Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just here for the “19 th hole,” it’s the perfect chance to connect and support our school. See you there!
Show Times:
3/20 @ 7 p.m.
3/21 @ 1 p.m.
3/21 @ 7 p.m.
Donations benefit the Denver Rescue Mission and St. Francis Center.
The Northfield Tri-M Music Honor Society donation drive ends on Friday, March 27. If you have a dusty clarinet in the closet or a trumpet taking up space under the bed, now is the perfect time to help keep the music playing in our community.
What We’re Looking For:
| If you are a… | Drop-Off Location | Best Time |
| Parent / Visitor | Bldg 5 Front Office | School Days (8:25 AM – 4:00 PM) |
| Commuter | Student Lot (off 56th) | Tues & Fri (3:25 PM – 3:50 PM) |
| Current Student | Bldg 1, Room 116 | Passing Periods or Final 30 |
The 5-Second Smile Challenge: > Pick a student or colleague who looks like they are already mentally on Spring Break (aka “The Zombie Walk”). Make eye contact and give them a genuine, big smile.
The Science: Their “Mirror Neurons” will fire automatically. Before their conscious brain even realizes what happened, their facial muscles will twitch to smile back. You just “hacked” their nervous system!