Our hallways were bursting with life this week! From the warmth of Cozy Sweater Day to Friday’s "explosion of color" for our Grade-Level Rainbow Day, it was wonderful to see our students’ spirit on full display.

We were also excited to officially welcome Mrs. McAra as our new Principal this week. Please see a special message from her below.

Important Reminder: Next Friday, February 13th is a PA Day, and there will be no school for students. We look forward to another great week ahead!

✨ A MESSAGE FROM MRS. MCARA

Happy FriYay CHN- weekend is loading ......

Firstly! Thank you to students, staff and families for welcoming me so openly. 

It is truly a privilege to join this school community as your new principal. I come to you with deep respect for the work already happening here and with a genuine eagerness to learn alongside you.

I value collaboration and shared leadership, and I look forward to continuing to connect during the morning greets, end of the day "waves", hallways, classrooms, and of course, the friendly visits in the office, as we move forward to Term 2! 

You will hear me speak often about my family, they inspire me every day and teach me so much. My husband, our three amazing kids, our son-in-law, our grandbabies and grand-fur baby “Larry the Frenchie” all keep me grounded, joyful, and constantly learning.

Most importantly, I want you to know that I see this role as a partnership. My commitment is to lead with care, kindness, clarity, and lightheartedness, to work alongside the school community as we continue to build a school where students can truly thrive.

Go Nighthawks!

✨ INDIGENOUS SELF-IDENTIFICATION

The Indigenous Rights and Education Team of the Halton District School Board is focused on supporting Indigenous students and families toward student achievement. The Team can be easily accessed by connecting with the school. Please note, the process of self-identification with the school board is completely voluntary and those who choose not to self-identify are still able to access the support of the Indigenous Rights and Education Team. If you choose to self-identify for a family/kin member, you can either contact your school or a member of the HDSB Indigenous Rights and Education Team:

System Principal - Gabriela Echeverria (echeverriag@hdsb.ca)

Indigenous Education Lead - Karie Hanson (hansonk@hdsb.ca) 

Instructional Program Lead - Rob Rooksby (rooksbyr@hdsb.ca) 

Instructional Program Lead - Tracy O’Connell (oconnellt@hdsb.ca)

Student Support Coordinator - Tanya Vardy (vardyt@hdsb.ca)

✨ EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY: BLACK EXCELLENCE & CONNECTION 

This week, our Grade 6–8 students participated in a dynamic session centered on Black Excellence and the Graduation Coach Program. We were inspired by the leadership and thoughtful contributions our students shared. The session encouraged us all to continue to move forward with mutual respect and a deepened commitment to one another. We look forward to our students’ continued leadership in building a community where every student truly thrives. 

📌 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONS 

We are accepting Junior Kindergarten registrations for 2026-2027. If you, or someone in the neighbourhood you know, is planning on registering a child for next year, please consider doing it soon as this help with our staffing. Call or stop in at the office for further information.

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATES

📌School Council Meeting

Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 12th @ 6:30 PM. All are welcome. 

✨BIG BOX OF CARDS FUNDRAISER 

Our Big Box of Cards campaign is back! Thank you to our School Council for organizing this initiative. Families can choose from All-Occasion, Birthday, or Holiday card boxes ($35) or a Big Box of Candles ($40), with $11 from every box going directly back to our school.

• To Order: Visit School Cash Online by February 25.

📌COBS Bread Bakery 

You can support School Council initiatives by buying fresh bread and other baked goods at COBS Bread, 3450 Dundas St. at the corner of Walkers Line (the Longo's plaza). Tell them you belong to the C.H. Norton School community, and a portion of your purchase will go towards school fundraising at the end of the school year. Last year’s profit from this fundraiser was $300.00.

📌 Mabel's Labels

You can support School Council fundraising initiatives while purchasing durable labels for your kids' stuff through Mabel's Labels. Follow this link and search for "C. H. Norton" and a portion of your purchases will go towards school fundraising. https://mabelslabels.ca/en_CA/fundraising/support/. These labels are a great way to identify all your child’s belongings that stay at the school. This fundraiser contributes approx. $100 per year to our school initiatives. 

📌Kidssentials

Kidssentials is catering pre-ordered hot lunches for C.H. Norton students on Thursdays. Order from their large variety of menu items the week before to ensure delivery. The menu for our school is now live on the portal.  Please click here for additional information, including registration information for families new to the program, program info and their cancellation policy. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Feb 13th PA Day

Feb 16th Family Day

Feb 17th Kindergarten Communication of Learning, Gr 1-8 Report Cards and Alternative Reports Go Home

Feb 19th Band to Musicfest

Feb 23rd Gr 6-8 Ski Trip

Feb 25th Pink Shirt Day

This week started with a PA Day that was also a very snowy day! We hope our families were able to get outside to enjoy the freshly fallen snow together. That Monday storm definitely brought plenty of excitement to our playground later in the week whenever the temperatures warmed up enough for us to get outside for breaks.

Inside the school, the energy has been just as high as our Norton’s Got Talent auditions continued. The courage and creativity our Nighthawks are showing is truly inspiring, and we are so proud of everyone who has stepped up to perform. Stay tuned for more details as we move toward our spring show date!

Finally, we have some transitions in our staff team. We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. McAra to the Nighthawk family this coming Monday. At the same time, we bid a fond farewell to Mr. Marks. He has been a wonderful partner to our school community throughout the month of January. While we will miss his calm and steady presence, we are so thankful for the time he spent with us.

Kindergarten Registrations: 

We are accepting Junior Kindergarten registrations for 2026-2027. If you, or someone in the neighbourhood you know, is planning on registering a child for next year, please consider doing it soon as this help with our staffing. Call or stop in at the office for further information.

✨ GRADE 8 CELEBRATION & TRIPS

We are excited to begin the coundown toward our Grade 8 celebrations!  Please look for our first official communication letter, which will be sent home this coming Monday. To keep everyone informed, we will be sending out email updates on Mondays going forward. A copy of the communication will also be posted on the Grade 8 Cohort Google Classroom. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Ms. Mattiacci mattaiccia@hdsb.ca. 

✨ GRADUATION PHOTOS: TUES., FEB 4th

 It's time to capture those smiles! Our graduation photos are scheduled for February 4th.  

• What to Wear: Students are asked to wear a white shirt (with or without a collar) to be worn underneath the graduation gown.  

• Photo Prep: for more tips on how to prepare for this photo op, please check out this helpful blog post link from the photographers.

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATES

📌School Council Meeting

Our School Council meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, January 15th, was cancelled due to the Snow Day.  The meeting has been rescheduled Thursday, February 12th. 

📌COBS Bread Bakery 

You can support School Council initiatives by buying fresh bread and other baked goods at COBS Bread, 3450 Dundas St. at the corner of Walkers Line (the Longo's plaza). Tell them you belong to the C.H. Norton School community, and a portion of your purchase will go towards school fundraising at the end of the school year. Last year’s profit from this fundraiser was $300.00.

📌 Mabel's Labels

You can support School Council fundraising initiatives while purchasing durable labels for your kids' stuff through Mabel's Labels. Follow this link and search for "C. H. Norton" and a portion of your purchases will go towards school fundraising. https://mabelslabels.ca/en_CA/fundraising/support/. These labels are a great way to identify all your child’s belongings that stay at the school. This fundraiser contributes approx. $100 per year to our school initiatives. 

📌Kidssentials

Kidssentials is catering pre-ordered hot lunches for C.H. Norton students on Thursdays. Order from their large variety of menu items the week before to ensure delivery. The menu for our school is now live on the portal.  Please click here for additional information, including registration information for families new to the program, program info and their cancellation policy. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Feb 4th Grade 8 Photo Day 

Feb 13th PA Day

Feb 16th Family Day

Feb 17th Kindergarten Communication of Learning, Gr 1-8 Report Cards and Alternative Reports Go Home

Feb 19th Band to Musicfest

Feb 23rd Gr 6-8 Ski Trip

It has certainly been a brisk week here at the nest! While the freezing temperatures moved some of our recesses indoors, our students stayed busy with plenty of creative indoor activities.

The highlight of our week was Friday’s special visit from Superintendent Flahat, Superintendent Negoi, and our new Principal, Ms. McAra. We were so proud to showcase the wonderful happenings at CHN and give them a warm welcome to our school.

Friendly Reminder: This Monday is a PA Day, so there is no school for students. We hope the extra day allows everyone to stay cozy and enjoy the beautiful snowfall.

Wishing everyone a fantastic long weekend!

✨WISHING MR. FORSYTH THE BEST IN HIS RETIREMENT 

After almost three decades in the HDSB, the majority of which were spent right here at CHN, Ian Forsyth has shared the news that he will be retiring.

Throughout his time with us, Mr. Forsyth has been an integral part of our school community. From coaching volleyball and basketball to leading the STEM club, he has always been dedicated to the student experience. He is well-known for building authentic connections and taking a genuine interest in his students' lives and passions outside the classroom to help foster their confidence and a sense of belonging.

Mr. Forsyth's work has been driven by a belief in the potential of our students as future leaders who will make meaningful contributions to their communities. While we will miss his presence in the building, we are excited for him to enjoy the flexibility of retirement. We know he is looking forward to plenty of travel and time on the golf course, including a family trip to Scotland!

Mr. Forsyth, thank you for your years of dedication and for everything you’ve done for the CHN community. Please join us in wishing him the very best in his next chapter.

✨BLACK HISTORY MONTH: GR 6-8 STUDENT PRESENTATION

We are excited to announce that on Wednesday, February 4th, our Grade 6, 7, and 8 students will participate in a special presentation centered on Black History and the Graduation Coach Program for Black Students.

This 45-minute session is designed to center and affirm Black-identifying students while building broader awareness across our entire school community. The presentation aims to:

• Deepen Understanding: Explore the historical contributions of Black Canadians and the contemporary realities facing the Black diaspora today.

• Foster Belonging: Increase a sense of belonging and community for our Black-identifying students.

• Connect to Future Supports: Introduce our intermediate students to the role of Graduation Coaches and the specific transition supports available to them as they move toward secondary school.

We look forward to this meaningful opportunity to learn together and further our commitment to an inclusive school environment where every student feels seen and supported.

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATES

✨School Council Meeting

Our School Council meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, January 15th, was cancelled due to the Snow Day.  The meeting has been rescheduled Thursday, February 12th. 

📌COBS Bread Bakery 

You can support School Council initiatives by buying fresh bread and other baked goods at COBS Bread, 3450 Dundas St. at the corner of Walkers Line (the Longo's plaza). Tell them you belong to the C.H. Norton School community, and a portion of your purchase will go towards school fundraising at the end of the school year. Last year’s profit from this fundraiser was $300.00.

📌 Mabel's Labels

You can support School Council fundraising initiatives while purchasing durable labels for your kids' stuff through Mabel's Labels. Follow this link and search for "C. H. Norton" and a portion of your purchases will go towards school fundraising. https://mabelslabels.ca/en_CA/fundraising/support/. These labels are a great way to identify all your child’s belongings that stay at the school. This fundraiser contributes approx. $100 per year to our school initiatives. 

📌Kidssentials

Kidssentials is catering pre-ordered hot lunches for C.H. Norton students on Thursdays. Order from their large variety of menu items the week before to ensure delivery. The menu for our school is now live on the portal.  Please click here for additional information, including registration information for families new to the program, program info and their cancellation policy. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Feb 4th Grade 8 Photo Day 

Feb 13th PA Day

Feb 16th Family Day

Feb 17th Kindergarten Communication of Learning, Gr 1-8 Report Cards and Alternative Reports Go Home

Feb 19th Band to Musicfest

Feb 23rd Gr 6-8 Ski Trip

It’s been another busy and exciting week at CHN! While Thursday’s snow day gave everyone a break from the classroom, students returned on Friday to a school yard full of snow and winter fun. We were also pleased to host the Tour for Humanity on Friday, providing our Grade 6–8 students with a powerful and thought-provoking learning experience. 

✨HDSB BUDGET INPUT

The HDSB is seeking input on the 2026-2027 school year budget to help guide decision-making. Parents/guardians, students, staff and community members are invited to provide input on the budget development process through an online survey by Feb. 1 at 4 p.m.

Learn more about the budget development process and provide input on 2026-2027 budget priorities: hdsb.ca/BudgetInput 

✨ECO NEWS: BOOMERANG LUNCHES 

Starting Monday, January 19, CH Norton will be participating in a week of “Boomerang” lunches. Pack your lunches with reusable containers, and take everything, wrappers, and packaging back home except foodwaste. The Eco club is promoting waste reductionby making families aware of lunch waste and encouraging litterless, healthy, bulk-packed meals.

Our goal is to reduce school landfill waste and teach environmental responsibility by having waste "boomerang" back to its source.

✨CANADA MEETS SPAIN:  Exchange Opportunity for 2026 - 2027 School Year  (Flyer Link) 

Dear Parents / Guardians and Students,  

The Halton District School Board in partnership with Canada International Student Placement Inc. (CISPI) and Ken’s Education Group is pleased to offer a reciprocal exchange opportunity to Valencia, Spain during the 2026-2027 school year.  Valencia is a coastal city on the Mediterranean Sea.

This program is for students entering Grade 9 or Grade 10 next school year who want to travel and experience international education in a safe comfortable setting with the support of HDSB and our Canadian and Spanish partners in international education. 

Exchange programs provide students with valuable cultural and educational experiences in Canada and abroad, fostering international friendships and authentic learning experiences.

Students will live with their matched family and attend school in the Valencia area during the exchange.  Tentative dates have the Spanish youth arriving in Canada and living with you for 3 weeks in mid September to early October 2026.  Then our HDSB students travel to Spain to be hosted there by participating families for 3 weeks in February of 2027.  The cost of this program designed to build respect, integrity, independence, friendship and peace is $2250 + the flight.

A virtual information session is being held on Monday January 26, 2026 at 7:00 pm.  

Please confirm your interest in the program and attendance at the virtual information meeting by completing the following Exchange Program Information Session form:  https://forms.gle/vkPXfyq3Hcowzu2o7  (a virtual meeting link will be shared with those who have completed the form). 

Regards,

HDSB International Student Program

isp@hdsb.ca  

✨ CANADA MEETS FRANCE:  Exchange Opportunity for 2026 - 2027 School Year  (LetterLink) 

Dear parents,

CISPI is a designated exchange provider for your school board, and we are pleased to invite students born between 2009 and 2013 to apply for an exciting reciprocal exchange opportunity with students from France in the spring of 2026.

This one-month reciprocal exchange offers Canadian students the chance to attend school and be matched with a

French student of the same gender, similar age, and shared interests. The exchange is structured as follows:

• April 2026: Canadian families host their French exchange student

• May 2026: Canadian students travel to France and stay with their host family

The cost of the program is $1,950 plus airfare. Accommodation and meals are provided by the host families in both

countries.

The ideal candidate is a mature, open-minded student who is interested in improving their French language skills while being fully immersed in a new culture and school environment.

Please see the link (https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:46a479ba-8154-4a6a-88e9-bdbe269906fb) to learn

more about the French students participating in this exchange and to see if there is a potential French “brother” or

“sister” around your age with whom you would be interested in exchanging.

For further information or to express interest in the program, please contact Paul@cispi.ca.

Kind regards,

Paul Brown

CISPI

📌GRADE 2 FRENCH IMMERSION REGISTRATION 

How to register for French Immersion

Registration is open from Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2026. The registration form will open on Dec. 1. 

Step 1: Confirm your child’s designated French Immersion school

French Immersion placement is based on your home address. Using the Find My Local School tool on the HDSB website, enter your home address and note the French Immersion school listed for your address. You will need this information when completing the registration form. 

Step 2: Ensure your child is registered with the HDSB

If you are receiving this email, your child is registered in the HDSB. If this message was shared with you and your child is not currently an HDSB student, please complete their HDSB school registration online first, prior to registering for French Immersion. Once your child is registered with the HDSB, you can complete the French Immersion registration form (below). 

Step 3: Complete the online French Immersion registration form

As of Dec. 1, registration will open and families can complete the French Immersion Registration Google Form by Jan. 31, 2026. 

All students registered between Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 will be placed in the French Immersion program. No additional steps or confirmations are required at this stage. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATES

✨School Council Meeting

Our School Council Meeting was to take place on Thursday, however, due to the Snow Day was cancelled.  

📌COBS Bread Bakery 

You can support School Council initiatives by buying fresh bread and other baked goods at COBS Bread, 3450 Dundas St. at the corner of Walkers Line (the Longo's plaza). Tell them you belong to the C.H. Norton School community, and a portion of your purchase will go towards school fundraising at the end of the school year. Last year’s profit from this fundraiser was $300.00.

📌 Mabel's Labels

You can support School Council fundraising initiatives while purchasing durable labels for your kids' stuff through Mabel's Labels. Follow this link and search for "C. H. Norton" and a portion of your purchases will go towards school fundraising. https://mabelslabels.ca/en_CA/fundraising/support/. These labels are a great way to identify all your child’s belongings that stay at the school. This fundraiser contributes approx. $100 per year to our school initiatives. 

📌Kidssentials

Kidssentials is catering pre-ordered hot lunches for C.H. Norton students on Thursdays. Order from their large variety of menu items the week before to ensure delivery. The menu for our school is now live on the portal.  Please click here for additional information, including registration information for families new to the program, program info and their cancellation policy. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Jan 26th PA Day

Feb 4th Grade 8 Photo Day 

Feb 13th PA Day

Feb 16th Family Day

Feb 17th Kindergarten Communication of Learning, Gr 1-8 Report Cards and Alternative Reports Go Home

Feb 19th Band to Musicfest

Feb 23rd Gr 6-8 Ski Trip

Welcome back! We hope your family had a restful and joyful Winter Break. It has been wonderful to see our hallways buzzing again this week as students reconnect with friends and staff. As we ease back into our school routines, we are taking time to reflect on our learning journey so far and reset our intentions while setting meaningful goals for a bright and inspiring 2026 ahead!

We are also happy to officially debut our new newsletter name, The Hawk Highlights. Proposed and selected by our student body, this refresh reflects the creativity and voice of our students and we are glad to carry it forward. To help you navigate our updates, we are now using symbols in our headings to highlight information at a glance. You can look for ✨ for New Information and 📌 for Repost or Reminder items. We hope this makes our weekly communication even more helpful for your family!

✨ WELCOME MS. MC ARA

Ms. McAra, from Falgarwood Public School in Oakville, will be joining us on February 2nd as our new principal.  She is deeply passionate about equity, inclusion, and making sure every student feels seen, valued, and supported. Ms. McAra is looking forward to connecting with students, staff, and families, and to partnering together as we learn, grow, and celebrate along the way.

✨ CHESS SET DONATIONS

In February, Chess Club for Grades 4 and 5 will resume at CHN, offering students a fun and challenging way to sharpen their skills. To help expand participation, we are seeking donations of chess sets. If you have a chess set you'd like to contribute, please send it to the school, care of Ms. Mason. Thank you for supporting our young strategists!

✨ MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

The HDSB is hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Winter and Spring. Each session will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.​​ The upcoming sessions include: 

• Executive Functions in Teens: How Parents Can Help Students Thrive | Jan. 20

• Helping Your Child Build Positive Relationships and Manage Conflict | Jan. 22  

• Halton ADAPT (Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment, Prevention & Treatment Services) - Exploring Our Services | Jan. 27

• AI, Well-Being and the Digital World | Feb. 4  

• Shaping How Kids Feel About Food: Mindful Language and Everyday Actions | Feb. 10

Registration is required as limited spots are available. Learn more and register: https://tinyurl.com/mryumysd 

📌GRADE 2 FRENCH IMMERSION REGISTRATION 

How to register for French Immersion

Registration is open from Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2026. The registration form will open on Dec. 1. 

Step 1: Confirm your child’s designated French Immersion school

French Immersion placement is based on your home address. Using the Find My Local School tool on the HDSB website, enter your home address and note the French Immersion school listed for your address. You will need this information when completing the registration form. 

Step 2: Ensure your child is registered with the HDSB

If you are receiving this email, your child is registered in the HDSB. If this message was shared with you and your child is not currently an HDSB student, please complete their HDSB school registration online first, prior to registering for French Immersion. Once your child is registered with the HDSB, you can complete the French Immersion registration form (below). 

Step 3: Complete the online French Immersion registration form

As of Dec. 1, registration will open and families can complete the French Immersion Registration Google Form by Jan. 31, 2026. 

All students registered between Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 will be placed in the French Immersion program. No additional steps or confirmations are required at this stage. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATES

✨School Council Meeting

Our next School Council Meeting will be on Thursday, January 15th @ 6:30 PM in the C.H. Norton library.  Parents and guardians of C.H. Norton students are invited to attend.  

📌COBS Bread Bakery 

You can support School Council initiatives by buying fresh bread and other baked goods at COBS Bread, 3450 Dundas St. at the corner of Walkers Line (the Longo's plaza). Tell them you belong to the C.H. Norton School community, and a portion of your purchase will go towards school fundraising at the end of the school year. Last year’s profit from this fundraiser was $300.00.

📌 Mabel's Labels

You can support School Council fundraising initiatives while purchasing durable labels for your kids' stuff through Mabel's Labels. Follow this link and search for "C. H. Norton" and a portion of your purchases will go towards school fundraising. https://mabelslabels.ca/en_CA/fundraising/support/. These labels are a great way to identify all your child’s belongings that stay at the school. This fundraiser contributes approx. $100 per year to our school initiatives. 

📌Kidssentials

Kidssentials is catering pre-ordered hot lunches for C.H. Norton students on Thursdays. Order from their large variety of menu items the week before to ensure delivery. The menu for our school is now live on the portal.  Please click here for additional information, including registration information for families new to the program, program info and their cancellation policy. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Jan 12th Grade 6s to Warplane Heritage Museum

Jan 14th Grade 8 Course Selections

Jan 15th School Council Meeting

Jan 16th Tour for Humanity (Grades 6-8s)

Jan 26th PA Day

Feb 4th Grade 8 Photo Day 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Feb 4th Grade 8 Photo Day 

Feb 13th PA Day

Feb 16th Family Day

Feb 17th Kindergarten Communication of Learning, Gr 1-8 Report Cards and Alternative Reports Go Home

Feb 19th Band to Musicfest

Feb 23rd Gr 6-8 Ski Trip