Weekly Newsletter – 3/27/26

News from the Nest

The Home Stretch: Setting Students Up for Success

As we head into Spring Break, we hope your family has the opportunity to rest and recharge.

While this time away is well-deserved, our school community is at its best when our students are here. We value the energy and perspective each student brings to the classroom, and we look forward to their return to maintain the academic momentum needed for a successful final term.

Why Consistent Attendance Matters

In high school, attendance is a primary driver of success. Being in class daily allows students to:

Planning for a Strong Return

While we understand that some absences are unavoidable, we encourage families to avoid extending the break. Every instructional day matters as we work together to ensure our students finish the school year strong.

If your student must be absent:

Thank you for your partnership in your student’s success. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus Monday, April 6!

TJ Cafferty
Dean of Culture, Grades 10-12


Key Dates & Events


Staff Spotlight

Chris Robles-Candelaria

Joining Northfield High School felt like an opportunity to be part of a community that values both academic rigor and authentic student connection. I was drawn to the school’s commitment to equity, collaboration, and innovation; I was especially eager to contribute by creating a classroom environment where all students feel seen, challenged, and supported. From the beginning, colleagues have been welcoming and generous with their time—whether sharing resources, offering encouragement, or simply checking in.

Inside the Classroom

In the classroom, one of the most rewarding experiences has been seeing students take ownership of their learning and engage in meaningful discussions that reflect both confidence and curiosity. The Northfield environment has pushed me to be more reflective and intentional in my practice, constantly refining how I support diverse learners.

The Northfield Culture

What I value most about the Nighthawk culture is its balance of high expectations and genuine care—for students and staff alike. For anyone considering joining this community, my advice is simple:

“Come ready to collaborate, stay open to growth, and embrace the relationships that make this place so special.”

Chris Robles-Candelaria
Math Teacher, 11th & 12th Grades



Weekly Highlights

Raising the Bar: Our First Gold Level Community Partner!

We are thrilled to announce that Raising Cane’s has officially signed on as Northfield High School’s very first Gold Level Community Partner! Cane’s has stepped up with a generous $5,000 sponsorship that goes directly toward supporting our Nighthawk programs, student initiatives, and campus growth. We are so grateful to have a local favorite invested in our students’ success. A massive thank you to the team at Cane’s for “One Love” and one big investment in our flock.

Is Your Business Our Next Partner?

Our Community Sponsorship program is officially off the ground! This is a fantastic way for local businesses to support Northfield while gaining visibility with over 2,000+ Nighthawk families.

Why partner with us?

Ready to join the ranks of our Nighthawk, Gold and Navy sponsors? View Our Sponsorship Packages or contact bonnie_martin@dpsk12.net to start the conversation!


National Recognition for Northfield Writer Gabe Olson

We are proud to celebrate senior Gabe Olson, who has been named a 2026 YoungArts Winner in Writing/Fiction. Out of thousands of applicants nationwide, Gabe was selected by a panel of esteemed artists for his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.

His winning portfolio included the compelling story, “Twenty-five years of ink.” As a YoungArts winner, Gabe is one of about 730 winners from a pool of 13,000 applicants across 10 artistic disciplines (the 5%). This honor also comes with a trip to LA in April to participate in one of their annual art lab workshops. And, he joins a distinguished national community of artists and receives a lifetime of professional support, including access to exclusive grants and mentorship opportunities. 

Please join us in congratulating Gabe on this remarkable achievement and for representing the Nighthawk spirit on the national stage! 


At the heart of our school’s mission is the belief that every student deserves a high-level roadmap to their future. Our Innovation Plan explicitly protects and prioritizes our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways, ensuring they are woven into the very fabric of our academic vision.

The Innovation Edge

Why does this matter? Without the specific protections in our Innovation Plan, specialized programs like CTE can often be sidelined or over-standardized. Our plan ensures these pathways remain a core part of our identity, providing:

By protecting these pathways, we aren’t just teaching skills—we are honoring the diverse professional ambitions of our entire student body.


Important: Assessment Week Schedule (April 13–15)

Please note that our schedule will change significantly during Assessment Week. On these days, only students designated for testing are required to attend school for the first half of the day. Students will be dismissed to go home following the conclusion of the assessment period.

The Testing Schedule:

Essential Details:


Northfield High School Opt-Out: 

If your student will not attend Northfield for the 2026-2027 school year, please let us know as soon as possible by completing this opt-out form, so we may offer waitlist spots to other students. If you have already let us know your student won’t attend Northfield, please disregard this communication and any that follow – unfortunately, the systems that DPS uses for disenrolling and for communicating with new families are not fully compatible.


Senior Timeline

Review the senior timeline of events that keep you prepared for graduation!



Hawk Happenings

Prom 2026: A Garden Gala

The night we’ve been waiting for is almost here! Join us for an evening of elegance and celebration at the historic Mile High Station.

Attendance Requirements

To ensure a safe and celebratory environment, the following must be met to purchase a ticket:

Night-of Logistics

Parking & Safety

Ample free parking is available for students, limos, and buses. To ensure student safety, DPD officers and Northfield staff will be patrolling the interior and exterior of the venue throughout the night.



Athletics

Women’s Soccer 

A massive week on the field with four shutout wins across the program! Momentum is building at every level—congrats to our athletes!

vs. Montbello: Varsity (10–0 W) | JV (10–0 W)

vs. Broomfield: Varsity (1–0 W) | JV (2–0 W) | C-Team (0–1 L)

Women’s Soccer 

A massive week on the field with four shutout wins across the program! Momentum is building at every level—congrats to our athletes!


Upcoming Events

Good luck to all our Nighthawk athletes as they take the field, court, and track. Let’s show up, show out, and cheer them on!

Can’t Attend? Most games are available to watch via a HUDL subscription.

Stay Up to Date: Check the Full Nighthawk Schedule Here.

Note: Starting this season, the district has switched to ArbiterLive for real-time updates and schedule changes.

Tickets: Purchase online or in person via GoFan; for regular season events.

Let’s show up, show out, and cheer on our Nighthawks!



Community Notice

Pathways to U.S. Citizenship: Free Workshops

Denver Public Schools Community Hubs (Central/NNE) are offering citizenship workshops to help you prepare for your future. Classes are available in both English and Spanish (bilingual).

What You’ll Learn:

Schedule:

Take Action:


North Denver Sustainability Fest!

Northfield families are invited to join a fun-filled afternoon of environmental action and community building at North High School. This event is open to all DPS schools!

Activities and Booths to Enjoy:

RSVP Today

To help organizers prepare for food and activities, please RSVP in advance.


Tasty Food Spring Break Schedule

Tasty Food will be open during DPS’s spring break to help ensure that no student goes hungry during their week off. All youth ages three to 18 are welcome to stop by any Tasty Food site to access free meals. No ID or registration is required. 

All sites will be closed Monday, March 30 in recognition of Si Se Puede Day, but will reopen Tuesday, March 31 and remain open through Friday, April 3.

For more information, visit the Tasty Food website or read the flyer in English or Spanish


Support Our School

8th Annual Nighthawk Community Golf Tournament

Gather your friends, family, or coworkers to form a team, or register individually and be paired with other players. The tournament will feature an exciting 4-Person Scramble format, with prizes for top teams, longest drive, closest to the pin, and more!

All proceeds from the event will support The Northfield High School Foundation, helping to enrich the experiences and opportunities for ALL of our students.  Last year we raised over $18,000!

Nighthawk Community Partners