Chieftains no more — the Captains are here to stay.
The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education has approved changing the nickname of Clairemont High School’s athletic teams from “Chieftains” to “Captains” to comply with a state law banning the use of derogatory terms for Indigenous people as names for teams.
Clairemont Principal Karly Johnstone wrote in a letter to board members that the Captains nickname “was chosen largely for its inclusive application and being a title students can strive to attain.”
“Though Captains is a human reference, we are looking for our mascot to be a gender-neutral animal or symbol which will represent the inclusive culture of Clairemont High School and we look forward to working this into our school culture,” Johnstone added.
The new nickname was selected after a nearly year-long community engagement process, according to the district. The change will go into effect in the 2026-27 school year, but the district added that it is not likely that every iteration of “Chieftain” will change by then.
San Diego Unified and Clairemont High School first considered changing the nickname last April, after the Board of Education revised an administrative regulation and policy in order to “provide clearer direction on changes to school names and mascots.”
According to the board policy, before changing a school nickname or mascot, the school leaders should consider:
whether a school nickname or mascot reflects historical harm or exclusion; the principles of equity, belonging and community empowerment; and cultural, historical, or community significance.Additionally, proposed name changes must also include evaluations of costs for signage, uniforms, or other associated charges.
“The district has had dust-ups over the years involving district school name changes, and leaders were determined to ensure this time would be different,” the district said in a release, adding that there was a “very active community engagement effort” surrounding this name change. This included:
a 10-person naming committee featuring a board representative, area superintendent, site principal and athletic director, teacher and two community members and two students; an open call for nickname suggestions, which were then discussed during town halls to determine further consideration; six town hall meetings that were also live-streamed; a community survey on the final four names, with over 500 responses; and regular updates on the Clairemont High Mascot Rebranding web page.SDUSD board vice president, described the process as “comprehensive and inclusive.”
“Change is difficult, and the way our Clairemont High School students, staff and community navigated this name change was outstanding, ” she said.
Local tribal leaders sent a letter supporting the change, according to SDUSD.
“Clairemont High School was the first school in the district to implement a mascot name change under the new state and district policy,” they added.
Hence then, the article about sdusd approves clairemont high athletics name change was published today ( ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( SDUSD approves Clairemont High athletics name change )
Also on site :
- Wynn Resorts faces second lawsuit after data breach incident involving employees
- Nancy Guthrie Update: Mexican Mothers Face Hurdles Joining Search
- Angel Reese Stuns With Daring Pregame Outfit