Name and Symbol Information

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.

Check back regularly for updates to our process.

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."