Students and staff from Pleasant Hill Community School shared the adventure of making their own drum during the Oct. 18 Board of Education meeting. They explained how the experience was connected to Indigenous, land-based teachings and how it responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.

In the fall of 2018, the school decided to make its own drum — including processing a moose hide to make the drum cover. The processing of the hide was done at the Brightwater Science, Environmental and Indigenous Learning Centre and the school returns monthly to continue the learning. Twenty-seven students took part in the school's drum group and in their year-end reflections many students said processing the hide was their favourite experience. Tim Eashappie, a traditional knowledge keeper with Saskatoon Public Schools, along with Kathy Eashappie guided the journey of processing the hide.

Learn more about the project and the learning it inspired at saskatoonpublicschools.ca/pleasanthill.

Trustees received a report on high school student data. For the 2018-29 school year, the division's three-year graduation rate was 72 per cent, compared to the provincial rate of 77 per cent. Seventy-two per cent of Grade 10 students earned eight or more credits during the past year, a pace which puts them on track for a three-year graduation with the required 24 credits. Information was also shared about the division's continued focus on outcomes-based assessment and instruction, as well as instructional leadership and the responsive actions of school-based data teams.

Reports and information presented at board meetings can be found at www.saskatoonpublicschools.ca. The next meeting of the Board of Education is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.