About Us
Cathleen Lopez
This is my 7th year at Northfield Elementary School as your school principal. I often speak to students about demonstrating “grit” behaviors. One of these is showing gratitude. Therefore, I will let you know how grateful I am to work within such a wonderful school community. Northfield; where the teachers are amazing, the students are engaged, and the families are supportive. I know, together, we will have another successful and fun school year. We always have hard work to do each day, but it is my goal to have a happy, safe, and supportive school climate.
I began my teaching career in Howard County 30 years ago as a special educator at Forest Ridge Elementary. I then taught third and fourth grade before transferring to Atholton Elementary School. While at Atholton, I completed my Administration and Supervision degree and became third grade team leader. In January 2006, I was promoted to Assistant Principal at Jeffers Hill Elementary and transferred to Bellows Spring in 2012. My promotion to Northfield in August of 2017 was a joyous event. I am so proud and happy to serve as principal of this great school. I love what I do and am looking forward to a fantastic 2023-24 school year.
Christine Hyun
Greetings! I am excited for this fifth year of serving Northfield as your Assistant Principal. NES is such an incredibly supportive and caring community and we have problem solved, communicated, and worked through many challenges that we faced together these past few years both during and after the pandemic. Being kind, working collaboratively with all stakeholders, believing in each child’s potential and providing equitable opportunities have always been my core beliefs as an educator. I have been fortunate to serve in different states and schools. My first six years of teaching was in first and second grade in Needham, Massachusetts and Tenafly, NJ and then I moved to Howard County in 2006. I was a Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher for 12 years at Guilford and Gorman Crossing Elementary Schools and a second grade teacher at Gorman Crossing. I received my Bachelor’s Degree as a double major in Child Development and Spanish from Tufts University, and then continued my graduate studies at Tufts and earned my Master’s Degree in Child Development and Teaching in 1999. In 2017, I obtained my Administration and Supervision Degree from McDaniel College. I’m a proud parent of two children who are also HCPSS students. I am looking forward to another great year of walking alongside you, the students, and the NES staff. Please feel free to contact me with comments and questions or just to say hello!
School Overview
Northfield Elementary Mission Statement
Northfield Elementary School is a positive and happy learning community where all stakeholders are valued, supported, and loved.
Northfield Elementary Vision Statements
Nurture a student-centered, inclusive, positive, and engaging learning environment.
Ensure equity for all of our students by uplifting each student’s unique gifts.
Support and cultivate personal integrity and encourage students to actively contribute to a successful learning environment and community.
Eco-School
We are the 5th school in Maryland and 31st school nationally to earn this status.
Eco-Schools is an internationally acclaimed program that provides a framework to help educators integrate sustainable principles throughout their schools and curriculum.
The Eco-Schools program was started in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) with support by the European Commission. It was identified by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as a model initiative for Education for Sustainable Development in 2003.
The Eco-Schools program strives to model environmentally sound practices, provide support for greening the curriculum and enhance science and academic achievement.
Additionally, it works to foster a greater sense of environmental stewardship among youth.
Eco-Schools is currently being implemented in more than 50 countries around the world.
In December 2008, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) was granted Eco-School host status for K-12 schools in the United States. NWF has presented 30 Green Flag Awards nationally, and 5 Green Flag Awards have very recently been awarded in Maryland.
Community Partnerships
We are fortunate to have the following local businesses and organizations as our community partners.
Okinawa Karate Dojo, Ellicott City
Sports Clips, Turf Valley
Uno's Chicago Grill, Long Gate
Chick-Fil-A, Executive Park Drive
Howard County Library, Miller Branch
Howard County General Hospital
Subway, Baltimore National Pike
Grassroots
2016 Let’s Move! Active School
Northfield Elementary School has been honored with the 2016 Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award for its outstanding efforts in creating an active school environment.
To earn a Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award, a school must have met significant benchmarks in five areas: physical education, physical activity before and after school, physical activity during school, staff involvement and family and community engagement.
LEED Certification
Northfield Elementary School was given a LEED certified Silver Status in 2012.
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Northfield Elementary School is among a small percentage of Howard County and Maryland schools to have earned LEED certification, which recognizes a commitment to environmental sustainability.