Hawk Highlights | C.H. Norton Public School | Halton District School Board

Happy (Almost) Summer, CHN!

As we share our final 2025/26 Hawk Highlights and wrap up another fantastic school year, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the entire CHN community. This year, our school-wide focus was on kindness, connection, and community, and our Nighthawks truly lived these values every day in our classrooms, hallways, and extra-curriculars.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to our School Council for their incredible dedication. From student favorites like weekly Popcorn and Hot Food Days, to Fall Fair, the Dance-a-Thon, and STEM Night, your hard work brings our community together. Council’s fundraising also generously supported the Grade 8 Celebration, the Angel Fund, outdoor resources, math materials, Kindergarten tools and equipment, replenishing phys ed equipment, and lighting for our Dance-A-Thon, CHN’s Got Talent and various other school events . A special thank you to our School Council leaders: Chair Krista Kukkonen, Treasurer Suchi Beri and Secretary Joe Giammarco. We also want to thank the rest of our council members for their time and effort this year. We look forward to continuing our work together next year!

A school relies on many moving parts, and we are so grateful for the team effort it takes to support our students. A huge thank you to our educators for their care in the classrooms, for genuinely listening to student voices, and for volunteering their time to run the sports, clubs, and intramurals that our kids love. We also want to thank our Student Supervisors, whose daily care ensures our students stay safe and supported during their breaks. We are so incredibly lucky to have such a strong and supportive team at CHN!

We also recognize our custodial team for their ongoing maintenance of the building over the school year, and for the heavy lifting required as they reset the school over the summer break. Finally, a special thank you to Ms. Persson and Ms. O’Reilly in the main office. Their daily warmth, patience, and organization keep our school running smoothly and make everyone feel welcome the moment they walk through the door.

We wish all of our Nighthawk families a safe, restful, and healthy summer. We can't wait to see your smiling faces in September!

Congratulations, grade 8 graduates!

What a night! Yesterday evening, we sent off our Class of 2026 in style. Graduates walked the red carpet lined with their own custom "Walk of Fame" stars, followed by strikes and snacks at Splitsville.

Thank you to our amazing staff and School Council for making this special night happen. We are incredibly proud of our graduates as they take flight to high school. Don't forget to come back and visit. Once a Nighthawk, always a Nighthawk!

A Message from the Lieutenant Governor to the Graduating Class of 2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

We're happy to share a special message from the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who has sent heartfelt congratulations and inspiring words for all our amazing graduates. Join us in celebrating the achievements and bright futures of these outstanding students! View a written message and a video message from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

Junior Track & Field Meet

Our Junior Track and Field meet on Monday was a runaway success! We are so incredibly proud of all our student athletes who pushed their limits, cheered each other on, and showed the true meaning of Nighthawk pride.

We want to send a giant thank you to our dedicated teachers for coaching and supervising, as well as our fantastic student leaders whose hard work kept the entire day running smoothly.

Thank you to everyone who made it a memorable day. Go Nighthawks go!

Jump Rope for Heart - Wednesday, June 24th

The countdown is on! This Wednesday, June 24th, our students will be skipping, jumping, and trying their absolute best not to trip over their own feet for a fantastic cause.

We are so close to our goal! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve officially raised $1,560. We just need one final push to hit our $2,000 goal. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, you can still support life-saving research by visiting our page at https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/116762.

A massive THANK YOU to our amazing student and staff Jump Rope for Heart leaders. They’ve been working tirelessly to plan, organize, and run this event. We literally couldn't do it without you!

Staffing update

As we approach the end of the school year, this is the time when staffing changes begin to take shape for the upcoming year.

We would like to extend our warmest wishes to the following staff members who will be moving to new schools within the Halton District School Board this September:

Mr. Cunningham (ARC classroom teacher)
Ms. Gorham (Communications Program teacher)
Ms. Witton (English as a Second Language Itinerant teacher)
Ms. Georgopoulos (Educational Assistant, CPE and Resource)
Ms. Maroshak, (Educational Assistant, Communications and CPE)
Ms. Terek (Educational Assistant, CPE)

We also say a fond farewell to the following dedicated staff members who will be retiring this year after many years of outstanding service:

Ms. Boers (Gr ⅔ classroom teacher)
Ms. Byford-Bayard (Designated Early Childhood Educator)
Ms. Kilpatrick (Gr 5 classroom teacher)
Ms. Proctor (Gr ⅘ classroom teacher)

We thank you for your dedication, to the CHN community and beyond, over the years. We wish you all the absolute best in your retirement!

We would also like to thank our wonderful Long Term Occasional (LTO) staff members:

Ms. Alvarenga (Community Pathways Elementary, Gr ⅘, Gr 1 classroom teacher)
Ms. Cowie (Gr 1 classroom teacher)
Ms. Crawford (Gr 2 classroom teacher)
Ms. Dilly (Educational Assistant, CPE)
Ms. Irimia (Full Day Kindergarten classroom teacher)
Mme Scholte (Junior & Intermediate Core French teacher)
Ms. Simpson (Educational Assistant, Resource)

Your contributions to our CHN community have meant so much to us and we feel incredibly lucky to have had them a part of the Nighthawk team this year.

Looking ahead: Our 2026–2027 staff list will be shared alongside class placements on the Friday prior to Labour Day weekend.

Year End Reminders

If you are moving, or have plans to move please ensure that the office has your updated information.
Report cards will go home Tuesday, June 23rd.
Check the Lost and Found - all items unclaimed by Wednesday, June 24th will be donated to a local charity
Send an extra bag to school for desk and locker cleanouts
Epipens and medications will be sent home on the last day of school
Please be sure to return any:

Outstanding library books
School resources
School/board technology

Join our team as a Student Supervisor!

We are looking for both permanent and supply Student Supervisors to help support our students during our daily Nutrition Breaks. This role includes monitoring students while they eat inside their classrooms, as well as supervising them during outdoor recess. If you enjoy working with children and want to be a helpful, supportive presence during their breaks, this is a great way to get involved in the CHN community!

Supervisors help keep our breaks running smoothly, assist when everyday issues arise, and work closely with our teachers and administration to keep our school safe and positive.

Whether you are looking for a steady daily role or the flexibility of supply work, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Ms. Savo (savos@hdsb.ca) for an application form or for more details. Thank you for your consideration!

School Volunteers - Police Record Check Requirements

Before participating in school activities, all volunteers are required to meet the HDSB’s volunteer screening requirements. To keep our schools safe, volunteers must complete a Police Record Check (PRC) that includes a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).

Under updated provincial regulations effective April 1, 2026, school boards are required to collect a new PRC every 5 years. As such, volunteers whose most recent PRC was submitted on or before September 1, 2021, must obtain and submit a new PRC with VSC. Please contact the office to receive a letter on school letterhead to support your request. Volunteers who do not require a new PRC this year must complete an Annual Offence Declaration.

Please note:

VSCs must be obtained through the police service where the volunteer resides.
Third-party online background check services do not meet HDSB requirements, as they do not include Vulnerable Sector Screening.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact school office staff to obtain the required documentation (letter) and more information regarding the volunteer screening process.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and school.

Early dismissal - Friday, June 27th

Please note that the final day of school will follow an early dismissal schedule. Students will be dismissed at 2:05 p.m., and supervision will end at 2:20 p.m.

School bus times will be adjusted to match this earlier schedule, so please plan ahead for afternoon pickup and drop-off times.

Supervision Begins	9:00 a.m.
Period 1	9:15 a.m.
Period 2	9:50 a.m.
Nutrition Break 1	10:25 a.m. - 11:05 am
Period 3	11:05 a.m.
Period 4	11:40 a.m.
Nutrition Break 2	12:15 p.m. - 12:55 p.m
Period 5	12:55 p.m.
Period 6	1:30 p.m.
Dismissal	2:05 p.m.
Supervision Ends	2:20 p.m.

School Council Updates

Fall Fun Fair - Silent auction basket donations

Our annual Fall Fun Fair and Open House is coming up in October 2026, and we’re excited to get started!

We’re reaching out for your help in creating some amazing, themed baskets for this year’s silent auction. These baskets are always a highlight of the event, and your contributions make a huge difference. Last year, our silent auction baskets raised over $2,500 to support school initiatives — thank you for your generosity.

We’re asking families to donate new, unopened items that fit the themes listed below. Every contribution helps build a fun, exciting, and successful event for our school community.

2026 Silent Auction Basket Themes

• Arts & Crafts — markers, paints, sketchbooks, craft kits, stickers

• Movie Night — popcorn, candy, DVDs, movie gift cards, cozy blankets

• Animal Lover — plush toys, books, pet supplies, puzzles, animal‑themed games

• Cooking & Baking — mixes, utensils, cookie cutters, aprons, cookbooks

• Sports & Beach Day — balls, frisbees, sunscreen, water bottles, towels

• Gardening & Outdoors — seeds, gloves, tools, bug catchers, solar lights

• Game Night & Books — board games, card games, puzzle books, novels

• Spa & Wellness — lotions, bath bombs, candles, face masks, wellness journals

• Coffee & Tea Lovers — gourmet coffee, tea blends, mugs, gift cards, treats

• Home Care — dish detergent, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies

Please send all donations to your child’s classroom by Friday, June 19, 2026.

If you know friends, co‑workers, or companies who may be interested in donating to our silent auction, feel free to connect them with Krista Kukkonen at krista.kukkonen79@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Together, we can make this year’s Fun Fair the best one yet.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Jun 24th Jump Rope for Heart

Jun 25th Celebration Assembly

Jun 26th Last Day of Instruction - early dismissal day

Tech-Assisted, Human-Approved: This newsletter was curated by C.H. Norton staff with creative and editorial support from AI.

It has been another wonderfully busy and action-packed week at CHN! Our students have been thriving across a variety of activities, from Mrs. McAra and Ms. Savo hosting our "May the Books Be With You" reading champions for some well-deserved extra time outdoors, to our Girls and Boys Soccer teams wrapping up their fantastic seasons this past Wednesday with incredible teamwork. While the rainy weather unfortunately forced us to postpone Day 2 of our Karaoke Dance Party, everyone can stay tuned for a surprise pop-up dance party coming very soon! Beyond our regular school days, we were also thrilled to connect with the wider community this week. We honoured our amazing CHN volunteers at our annual Volunteer Tea, extending our most heartfelt appreciation to everyone who supports us, and wrapped up the week today with our inspiring students and staff who attended the Special Athletes Track Meet.

A note from the Eco Club…

This coming Monday, June 15th will be the last day to drop off any used batteries for this year's school collection drive. Please send in any remaining batteries so we can get them counted and recycled. Thank you for supporting this important eco-initiative!

Also starting Monday, Class 5-1 and our Eco Team will be offering free bags of compost to help boost your garden! Throughout the school year, students have been caring for our FoodCycler, which transforms food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. The compost has been blended with soil to create a ready-to-use garden mix for our school community.

Compost bags will be available for pickup from the front drop-off table starting Monday morning and will be replenished daily while supplies last. Thank you to Class 5-1 and our Eco Team for their hard work in helping reduce waste and support sustainability at our school.

Junior Track & Field Meet: Monday, June 15th

This is a quick reminder for all members of our Junior Track and Field Team that our meet at Nelson High School is this coming Monday, June 15th.

Please arrive at school on time for morning attendance. We will be loading the buses immediately following the morning bell to ensure we make it to the event on time.

Don't forget to pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and proper running shoes. Go Nighthawks!

Early dismissal - Friday, June 27th

Our final day of school for the 2026/27 school year will be an early dismissal day. Please review the schedule below and note that student dismissal will take place at 2:05 p.m. Supervision will end at 2:20 p.m.

School bus transportation will be adjusted to accommodate the early dismissal schedule. Families should plan accordingly for both pick-up and drop-off times.

Supervision Begins	9:00 a.m.
Period 1	9:15 a.m.
Period 2	9:50 a.m.
Nutrition Break 1	10:25 a.m. - 11:05 am
Period 3	11:05 a.m.
Period 4	11:40 a.m.
Nutrition Break 2	12:15 p.m. - 12:55 p.m
Period 5	12:55 p.m.
Period 6	1:30 p.m.
Dismissal	2:05 p.m.
Supervision Ends	2:20 p.m.

Lost & Found

Our Lost and Found is overflowing with clothing and other items that are looking for their owners! Over the next week, classroom teachers will be taking students past the Lost and Found display to help identify any missing belongings.

Please encourage your child to check the Lost and Found. Any items not claimed by June 24, 2026, will be donated to a local charity.

Jump Rope for Heart - June 24th

There’s still time to register for Jump Rope for Heart!

Our event day is coming up on June 24. Visit our school's fundraising page at https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/116762 to make a donation, or register and share your child’s fundraising page with family and friends to spread the word! Also, when you register online, and get your first donation, your child will be entered into the Desjardins Heart Hero contest and have a chance to win one of 200 scooters!

Thanks to your generous donations, we have already raised over $1500! Help us support life-saving research, and reach our school's fundraising goal of $2000.

National Indigenous History Month

Throughout the month of June, our school is proud to recognize National Indigenous History Month. We will be actively learning about, honouring, and celebrating the rich cultures, diverse histories, and significant contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

This is an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of Indigenous histories and strengthen our shared commitment to reconciliation.

Celebrating Pride Month

Pride Month is observed in June as a time to honour the identities, resilience, and contributions of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender- and sexually-diverse (2S&LGBTQ+) communities. It is also a time to reaffirm the importance of dignity, safety, and equity for all, as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The origins of Pride can be traced to the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which helped spark a global movement for 2S&LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. In Canada, this legacy continues through a long history of advocacy and community building. More recently, the federal government introduced Pride Season in 2023 to recognize the many events and celebrations taking place throughout the summer months.

As a school community, we recognize Pride Month as an opportunity to learn, reflect, and continue working toward spaces where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging.

Celebrating an Inspire award recipient

We are thrilled to recognize Doug Goodhand, our wonderful school crossing guard, who recently received an HDSB Inspire Award, which recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to student well-being and school communities.

Doug plays an essential role in keeping our students safe every day, greeting them with a smile, and ensuring everyone crosses the street safely.

This award is a well-deserved recognition of Doug’s dedication, positivity, and commitment to our school community. Thank you, Doug, for all that you do – we are so grateful to have you looking out for our students!

A message from Halton Learning Foundation…

As the school year winds down, the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) invites families to take part in the ‘Thank a Teacher’ campaign, a meaningful initiative to recognize the incredible contributions of teachers and school staff across HDSB.

Beyond lessons and assignments, students are learning to be kind, persevere, and believe in themselves. Much of that learning is made possible by educators who show up in quiet but powerful ways.

It may be the teacher who noticed a student struggling and offered encouragement.

The staff member who made a child feel included.

The educator who stayed a little longer to help something click.

Or a retiring teacher whose years of care have shaped countless lives.

These moments may not always be visible, but they are deeply felt.

Through the Thank a Teacher campaign, you are invited to honour an educator, a staff member, or a retiree with a donation in their name. Your gratitude becomes meaningful support for students in need across our community.

When a gift is made, you can send a personalized card and message to the honoured educator, letting them know someone recognized their compassion and paid it forward.

Honour an educator by visiting thankmyteacher.ca

Annual Plan of Care review for September 2026

All students with a prevalent medical condition (i.e., anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy) are required to have their Plan of Care document reviewed annually. If there are no changes to the existing Plan of Care, we ask you to print, sign and return the Annual Review of Medical Information Form via email to Katie O’Reilly oreillykat2@hdsb.ca by Friday, June 19, 2026. No meeting is required should there be no changes to the current Plan of Care. Should there be recommendations provided by your Health Care Practitioner, these changes may be incorporated into a revised Plan of Care for your child when this document is finalized upon return to school in September. To discuss recommended changes, please contact Stefanie Savo (VP) savos@hdsb.ca. Thank you for completing the Annual Review of Medical Information Form.