Bears, Cardinals, Gray Wolves or no nickname at all? The decision ahead for Canandaigua
CANANDAIGUA, NY – What’s it going to be, Canandaigua?
Is there a need for the school district to have a new nickname or mascot or none at all? If yes, should the new nickname be the Bears, Cardinals or Gray Wolves?
The district is moving on from the Braves nickname and Friendship Belt logo, and so a survey asking people to vote for one of the three nicknames or not to have one at all comes out Tuesday, Oct. 10.
“Ultimately, we hope for this to be a collective decision that the majority in the community gets behind,” said Superintendent Jamie Farr, in a video released Friday afternoon that unveiled the three finalists as well as outlined the next steps for the district and community.
The survey coming out Tuesday is the final one − part of a process that involved three prior surveys and a "pause" in the proceedings in order to obtain more Canandaigua student input − and eligible voters will have until Oct. 15 to choose.
Any current students, current staff, and current parents of current students will be automatically registered to vote. Eligible respondents will see the new survey arrive in their email inbox through ParentSquare on Tuesday. Students will vote in school.
Canandaigua alumni, residents, or district retirees who do not have a current student in the district and are not a current employee have to register by 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at canandaiguaschools.org. Once their information is verified, they, too, will receive the survey Tuesday.
Canandaigua, as well as other school districts in the state, are going through this process because the New York State Board of Regents voted unanimously to prohibit the use of Native American names, mascots and logos for school districts and their sports teams.
When they receive the survery, voters first will be asked if they want a nickname or mascot. Those who say “no” will be done. Those who say “yes” will then choose from the Bears, Cardinals or Gray Wolves options.
The cherry and gray colors will not change, and the block “C” and “CA” also will remain in place, Farr said.
The Canandaigua Board of Education will vote later this month on whichever option gets the most support. The district will reveal the winner by video Nov. 3.
Farr said he hopes for this decision to be taken seriously.
“Ultimately, your voice matters,” Farr said.
For more information about the survey and to see conceptual logos, mascots, slogans, and other information for each option, visit www.canandaiguaschools.org/district/news/symbol-forum.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Canandaigua NY readies to pick new nickname
