In the Loop
In the Loop Staff Newsletter - October 9, 2026
Aaron Belman
Upcoming Events
Weekly Wrap Up
Watch this week’s Weekly Wrap Up here, to catch up on the highlights from the week ending October 9, 2026.
Staff Spotlight
NUSD Team Participates in Freedom Dreaming for Black Student Success Series at County Office of Education
A team of NUSD staff participated in three days of learning, deepening understanding, collaborating, and discussing actionable steps of how schools and communities can create better experiences and outcomes for Black students. The training was sponsored by the Sacramento County Office of Education as part of the Genius initiative. This particular series, “Freedom Dreaming for Student Success,” was filled with expert speakers, data review, activities, and actionable steps for schools, districts, and community organizations to ultimately improve the conditions of all students.
Sacramento County Office of Education Recognizes NUSD Teacher of the Year Amanda Lie
Natomas Unified School District's 2026 Teacher of the Year, Amanda Lie, was recognized during the Sacramento County Office of Education’s annual Teacher of the Year Banquet. The regional ceremony celebrated outstanding educators from across Sacramento County for their leadership, instructional excellence, and commitment to student success. "This was an amazing night of meeting and listening to and about other educators who are making a difference," said Lie. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share space with people who love others so much."
Supt’s Corner
Thanking Our Substitutes: NUSD Hosts Annual Substitute Appreciation Event
Natomas Unified School District celebrated substitute staff during its annual Substitute Appreciation Day event on Tuesday. Superintendent Dr. Robyn Castillo joined district leadership to recognize substitutes for their vital role in maintaining instructional continuity and supporting student learning across NUSD campuses.
Read to Succeed
NUSD Reads! Antione Recommends Dog Man
As part of the NUSD Read to Succeed Early Learners Initiative, Natomas Middle School scholar Antione shares why Dav Pilkey's Dog Man is one of his top book choices. Pointing to the series' engaging action and humor, the book is best suited for young readers ages 6 to 9. Copies are available to borrow through NUSD school libraries and Sacramento Public Library branches.
Community
Natomas High School Car Show Brings the Community Together
Beautiful cars, music, dancing, food trucks, and student club activities created a welcoming atmosphere for all ages during Natomas High School’s Community School Team and Auto Club’s inaugural Car Show last Saturday. Student volunteers, community partners, and the Community school team made this event possible while supporting the Auto Club and student clubs.
Community schools are all about bringing people together, building meaningful relationships, and working together to support students, families, NHS and the whole community.
NUSD Recognizes Youth Leadership Academy Students for Civic Leadership
Natomas Unified School District celebrated three high school students participating in the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA): Reyes of Leroy Greene Academy, Sid of Natomas High School, and Tanaya of Inderkum High School. The students, who are a part of YLA’s first cohort, were recognized for their dedication to student involvement, public policy research, civic engagement, and community leadership. District leadership commended the students for applying critical thinking and active leadership across their respective campuses.
CTE Hospitality Students Partner and Learn from Eskaton Residents
Students in Natomas Unified's Career Technical Education (CTE) Hospitality pathway continued building meaningful community connections with residents of Eskaton Senior Living. The two groups recently gathered for an afternoon of painting, conversation, and camaraderie. The ongoing partnership offers students opportunities to develop interpersonal and professional communication skills while fostering strong intergenerational relationships within the Natomas community.
NUSD and Sacramento County Public Health Host Free Flu Vaccine Clinics
This family was all cheers after getting their flu shots and being rewarded for being such good sports at NUSD's Welcome Center on Tuesday. To promote a healthy fall and winter during flu season, NUSD partnered with the Sacramento County Department of Public Health to provide free flu vaccines to students and family members.
College & Career
Parent University: Register for Understanding A-G Requirements
Join NUSD for a virtual session designed to guide families through high school graduation and university eligibility benchmarks.
- Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Format: Virtual via Zoom
- Registration: natomasparentuniversity.com
Discover What’s Next: NUSD Secondary Showcase Night
Planning for middle school, high school, or specialized pathways? Mark your calendars! All district families are invited to explore the rich academic, career, and extracurricular programs offered across Natomas Unified during Secondary Showcase Night on Wednesday, October 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Natomas High School Gym.
Whether your student is preparing for middle school or gearing up for high school and beyond, this event provides direct access to school leaders, staff, and program representatives across our secondary campuses.
Sacramento State Hornet Football Offers Discounted Tickets for NUSD Families
As part of Natomas Parent University's Put Your Device Away series, Natomas Unified families and staff are invited to attend Sacramento State’s homecoming football game against the Ohio University Bobcats on Saturday, October 17, at 7 p.m. at Hornet Stadium. The initiative encourages everyone to disconnect from screen time and participate in meaningful live activities such as a football game. Discounted tickets can be purchased online at hornettickets.evenue.net/promotions/NUSD using the promotional code NUSD.
Sports
The undefeated Natomas High School girls flag football team was recently highlighted on ABC10’s Toyota Sports Extra following a 14–0 start to their season. Student-athletes and coaching staff visited the ABC10 studio in Sacramento to discuss the program’s strong performance so far, team culture, and high-scoring offense. Community members can watch the team's news feature on YouTube.
Facilities
NUSD Facilities Master Plan Addresses Aging Infrastructure Across District Campuses
As Natomas Unified school buildings age, ongoing maintenance and modernization become essential for maintaining classroom environments. The District’s Facilities Master Plan identifies priority projects across NUSD campuses, focusing on critical infrastructure needs including HVAC systems, roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems. Measure D on the upcoming ballot addresses these facility standards. Detailed information regarding district facility planning and campus assessments is available on the NUSD Facilities and Strategic Planning website.
Managing Community Growth: How Measure D Addresses NUSD Campus Capacity
As residential development continues across the Natomas region, Natomas Unified School District monitors neighborhood growth and student enrollment trends to guide facility planning. To support growing communities and manage classroom capacity, district facility plans focus on modernizing existing campuses and expanding educational spaces. Measure D on the upcoming ballot outlines funding dedicated to addressing school capacity, facility modernizations, and infrastructure updates across NUSD.
Bulletin Board
Anti-Bullying Poster Contest 2026
In support of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, Natomas Unified School District is hosting the 2026 Anti-Bullying Poster Contest from October 5 through October 16, 2026. All currently enrolled Natomas Unified students are invited to create one poster entry, 'Make a Difference - Be an Empathy Hero' displaying inclusivity, kindness, and a welcoming culture.
Guidelines:
- Create an original poster highlighting kindness and empathy
- One winner will be selected from each grade-level category, for a total of three winners in: TK–5, 6–8 and 9–12th grades.
- One entry per student
- Must be currently enrolled in an NUSD school
- Submit entry by October 16, 2026, 4 PM
Winners will be announced by Wednesday, October 21st. Throughout October 23–31, winning and selected entries will be featured on the NUSD website, social media, ParentSquare, and other NUSD communication platforms as part of Red Ribbon Week.
NUSD Invites Families to Diverse Conversations on Oct. 27
Natomas Unified is hosting its upcoming Diverse Conversations event, creating a collaborative space for families to share insights and help inform future district decisions. This session will focus on safety in our schools.
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
- Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Dinner and childcare provided starting at 5:30 p.m.)
- Location: 1901 Arena Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95834
- Registration: Register online at natomasparentuniversity.com
Why Attend?
- Inform District Decisions: Direct feedback helps guide district leadership on academic programs, family engagement, and student support services.
- Strengthen Learning Environments: Share lived experiences and perspectives to build inclusive, supportive school communities across NUSD.
- Family Amenities: Complimentary dinner and on-site childcare ensure all families can comfortably attend and participate.
Fall LCAP Survey Participation Invitation
We Want to Hear From You!
NUSD is inviting all students, staff, and families to share their feedback in our Fall LCAP Survey. Your input helps guide our district’s goals and priorities — from academic success and wellness supports to safety and family engagement.
The survey is designed to take only 5 minutes to complete. You’ll be asked to provide your level of agreement for 5 statements, each aligned to one of our district goals and identify some key priorities from a list. There are also some optional, open-ended questions if you would like to share more input. The survey will remain open until October 16th.
Your voice truly makes a difference — please take a few minutes to help shape how we continue to support our schools and community.
[Take the Survey Here] or use the QR code.
Thank you for being an important part of our Natomas Unified community!
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