The Saskatoon Public Schools Board of Education held its first regular meeting of the 2026-27 school year on Sept. 15, with student learning, a recap of school start-up, and recognition of education partners among the highlights.

Treaty 6 mural mosaic

The meeting opened with a Celebrating Excellence presentation recognizing Saskatoon Public Schools’ commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6.

Throughout the past school year, students across the division explored Treaty 6 in their classrooms and created individual pieces of art reflecting their learning. The pieces were brought together during the division’s Treaty 6 150th Commemorative Round Dance in June, where they began to form a large mosaic of the Treaty 6 flag. The completed installation is now on display in a window facing 3rd Avenue outside the division’s central office.

At the board meeting, First Nation, Métis, and Inuit education coordinator Alisa Favel and Arts education consultant Colin Elliott shared how the learning and art installation were developed. Hugh Cairns V.C. School vice principal Deighan Remoundos, teacher Jennifer Herrod and two students also spoke about the school’s experience with the project and what the learning meant to them.

Students reflected on courage, love, respect and kindness, and how participating in the project left them feeling more connected and hopeful about building a better future. Like the mosaic itself, the project demonstrated how hundreds of individual contributions, conversations, and reflections can come together to create something meaningful.

A new school year underway

Trustees also received an update on the opening of the 2026-27 school year and the work that took place throughout the summer to prepare schools, staff, and programs for students' return.

Preparations included summer learning, staff recruitment, facilities and technology work, program promotion, and professional learning. New teachers gathered for orientation on Aug. 26, while professional learning was also provided for educational assistants, administrative assistants, and central office leaders.

On Aug. 31, employees from across the division came together for This is Us, Saskatoon Public Schools’ school-opening/welcome back event. The gathering celebrated the talents, perspectives, and passions employees bring to their work and their collective role in creating the conditions for students to learn, grow, and succeed.

The school opening update also highlighted work related to school safety, truth and reconciliation, and community partnerships. The division updated its Emergency Response Plan over the summer, introduced a new Orange Shirt design by Saskatoon-based Indigenous artist Lyndon Linklater Jr., and supported classes participating in CUMFI’s Student Education Day (Sept. 11) as part of the annual CUMFI Métis Cultural Days event.

Trustees also heard about the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation’s inaugural ConnectHer fundraising event.