The district has created a temporary logo file for use until the finalized logos have been created. The current Block C, CA, and 1791 CA along with the new Canandaigua Gray Wolves may be used in a variety of ways using the Carton font and Gildebroad font. 

Gray Wolves 

Brave - Courageous - Loyal - Ambitious - Teamwork - Wildness - Social - Intelligent - Hardworking - Powerful - Guardians - Devoted - Caring - Playful 

Native American Symbol

Courage - Strength - Loyal - Guardianship - Success in Hunting

Celtic Culture Symbol

Brave - Loyal

Asian Culture symbol

Loyal - Cunning - Communicates - Companionship - Friendly - Generous - Intelligent 

Survey 4 Results

85% of students voted to have a nickname/ mascot

78% respondents voted for a nickname/ mascot

5,046 Total Votes 

• 1. Gray Wolves

• 2. Bears

• 3. No Nickname

• 4. Cardinals

On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 3:30 pm, every school district across New York State received a memo from the New York State Education Department and the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education. This memo is specific to the school district’s use of Native American logos, mascots, and names. It stated that districts must commit to replacing their Native American team name, logo, and/or imagery by the end of the 2022-23 school year. The memo also indicated that there would be forthcoming Regulations which will “clarify the school districts’ obligations.”

Since that time, we have taken a number of steps to respond to the Commissioner’s memo. This page is meant to provide updates to the community on our response to the memo and forthcoming Regulations as well as other important resources for understanding the possibility of a name and symbol change here in Canandaigua.

Canandaigua City School District Actions to Date:

• November 17, 2022 - Received memo from Deputy Commissioner of Education
• November 20, 2022 - Informed all families, staff and students via BravesSquare of Memo
• December 5, 2022 - Logo Audit- Walked all district properties to list items with Braves or Belt
• December 8, 2022 - Historical Fact Finding Zoom-met with members of the 2001 Administrative Team to discuss the decision around name and symbol from 2001
• December 12, 2022--Received Proposed (Draft) Addition of Regulation Prohibiting the Use of Indigenous Names, Mascots, and Logos by Public Schools. 
• December 14, 2022 -Superintendent Farr’s letter to Commissioner Rosa and President Armstrong
• December 15, 2022 - Assemble Stakeholder Committee-First Orientation meeting via Zoom
• January 26, 2023 -  Stakeholder Committee Meeting
• February 16, 2023 - Community Forum via Zoom hosted by Superintendent Farr. See below for the recording and presentation.
• February 24, 2023- Fingerlakes Times publishes "Canandaigua Braves may become Canandaigua Brave."
• March 21, 2023 - Superintendent Farr appealed to Haudenousanee Faith Keeper to bring our case before a tribal council for consideration
• March 23 , 2023 to Present - Superintendent Farr working with the other five superintendents in NYS who have a school name, Braves, to attempt to make an appeal to NYSED for the name Braves to be considered acceptable.
• April 18, 2023 - NYSED approved the Regulation specific to usage of Indigenous Peoples names, symbols and mascots in the State of New York.
• April 21, 2023 - Superintendent Farr updates the community on the regulation.
• May 4, 2023 - Superintendent Farr hosted a forum about our survey process. The video and slide deck are below.
• May 5, 2023 - The first of three surveys are made available to select the new CCSD nickname. To see the choices of the surveys, click here.
• June 2, 2023 - Survey #2 is released asking community members to rank their top four choices.
• June 16, 2023 - Survey #3 is released and closes June 21st at 3 pm. 
• October 2, 2023 - District released registration process for the final survey. Only verified email addresses will able to vote in the final survey.
• October 6, 2023 - The District will released information and details about the final survey including a video with details on the survey
• October 10, 2023 - The final survey is communicated through ParentSquare and to verified email addresses
• October 15, 2023 - The final survey closes at 3 pm
• November 3, 2023 - Results shared 

Those who are required to register for a ballot must be either:

1. A graduate of Canandaigua Academy who is not a parent/guardian of a current student and is not a staff member;
   OR
2. A community member who is living within our district boundaries who is not a parent/guardian of a current student;
   OR
3. A retiree from the Canandaigua City School District who is not living within our district boundaries and who is not an alumni

You are NOT required to register for a ballot if you are a:

1. Current student*
2. Parent/Guardian of a current student*
3. Canandaigua City School staff member*

*Current students, Parents/Guardians of Current Students, and CCSD staff members will receive their survey through ParentSquare.

Responses from this form will be used to verify residency within the district and graduation status. This form closes on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm.

We will use the email address you provide below to send you a ballot and any additional information once we verify your information.

Any questions, please call 585-396-3700

The final survey was distributed on Tuesday, October 10 to verified email addresses of alumni, community members, and retirees. Parents/guardians and current staff members received the survey through ParentSquare. Students will vote in class on Wednesday, October 11. The final survey closes on Sunday, October 15 at 3 pm. 

Only responses from verified email addresses will count in the final survey.

Section V School Symbol Map

*Map does not reflect all changes to school symbols that have been made in the past few years.

Additional Resources & News Articles

[Articles may require paid subscription]

Indigenous Mascot Advisory Council's review process- Article from Rochesterfirst.com (March 23, 2023)

State Ed advisory group: Get rid of 'Warriors,' 'Raiders' team names- Article from Albany Times Union (March 25, 2023)

Salamanca Central School District working with Seneca Nation hoping to keep 'Warriors' name - News features from WKBK News 7 Buffalo (March 28, 2023)

Click on images Above to View pdf slideshows

Canandaigua City School District Reveal Video

Familiar Faces - in order of appearance

• Steve Uebbing - Retired Superintendent of Schools, 18 years
• Lynne Erdle - Retired Superintendent of Schools and District employee of 35 years
• Jamie Farr - Current Superintendent of Schools
• Frieda O'Hanlon - Retired Member of the Board of Education for 20 years, President of the Board of Education  - 2 years
• Jeanie Grimm - Current President of the Board of Education
• Tarry Shipley - CA Class of 1957, Retired Board of Education Member for 30 years, President of the Board of Education - 26 years, Graduate of Distinction
• Ellen Polimeni - Retired Canandaigua Middle School Assistant Principal, Former Mayor of Canandaigua
• Nate Teerlinck - CA Class of 2022, Student Athlete at the University of Maine, Men's Swimming
• Chris Keys - CA Class of 1985, member of the CA Athletic Hall of Fame
• Mandy Friend Gigliotti - CA Class of 2005, Graduate of Distinction
• Tanner Cooper - CA Class of 2017, Currently plays baseball in the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Organization
• Marlese Thompson - CA Class of 1989, Retired Buffalo Jill Cheerleader, Current CA Cheer Coach
• Maralee Taft - CA Class of 1993, Retired Buffalo Jill Cheerleader, Current CA Cheer Assistant Coach
• Mary Ann Pavone - Retired Canandaigua Kindergarten teacher, 49 years teaching, John Wilcox Award Winner
• Mike Brennan - Current Teacher at the Canandaigua Academic and Career Center, Head Girls Basketball Coach, Sectional Champion, State Finalist
• Ed Mulheron - Retired CA Business Teacher, Former Head Lacrosse Coach, Coach of the 2009 State Championship team
• Gordon Estey - CA Class of 1974, Retired Canandaigua Academy Theater Manager, Graduate of Distinction, Visual and Performing Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
• Josh Mull - Current CA Art Teacher, John Wilcox Award Winner
• Taylor Day - Current Middle School Music teacher and Theater Director
• Scott Schauman - Retired CA English Teacher and Theater Director, Visual and Performing Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
• Greg Kane - CA Music Teacher, Curriculum Area Lead Teacher, John Wilcox Award Winner
• Marissa Logue - CA Class of 1996, Current Canandaigua Academy Principal
• Ryan Lavner - CA Class of 2005, Senior Writer for NBC's Golf Channel 
• Caroline Chapman - Current Canandaigua Academy Director of Athletics and Communications
• Tysheed Crockton - CA Class of 2023, Student Athlete at Central Connecticut, Football 
• Cheryl Birx - Retired CA teacher, Retired President of the Canandaigua Teacher's Association, Retired Board of Education Member
• Michael Park - CA Class of 1986, Broadway and Television Star, Multiple Emmy Award Winner, Graduate of Distinction, Visual and Performing Rights Hall of Fame 
• Jeff Welch - CA Physical Education Teacher and Current Varsity Football Coach, four time Sectional Champion
• Carly Stevens - CA Class of 2023, Student at Nazareth University studying Theatrical Performance
• Abbey Herod - CA Class of 2022 , Student Athlete at Boston College, Women's Lacrosse
• Ryan Poles - CA Class of 2003, Current General Manager of the Chicago Bears, CA Athletic Hall of Fame  

Video Production by Mitchell Steedman, Class of 2019

Temporary Logo Designs by Mark Sutter, Canandaigua Middle School Art Teacher