Mascot Selection Process

The following recommendations were approved by the Task Force members present at the April 8th meeting, which was a culminating capstone of the Task Force’s process.

• Both schools keep current colors of red and blue
• Schools phase-in the purchase of uniforms to minimize financial impacts
• Moving forward from this time each school will minimize the use of cowboys and Indians, concentrating on using the “W” and the “R” in printed materials, t-shirt, etc.
• New mascots will not use human imagery or symbols associated with culture, nationality, race or ethnicity
• The mascot selection process be mirrored at both schools
• The process will follow this recommended schedule for 2019:
  • April/May - announcement about mascot transition process
  • August 15-September 15 - district all-call for mascot submissions
  • FPS will work with the two principals to create the mascot submission form- it will be ready by the start of the 2019-2020 school year. The form will provide the option for people to enter their name, relationship with the school and other comments such as reasoning for the mascot submitted or what you would like to see a mascot represent.
  • Each school will have developed a committee for the review process, to be in place by September 15
    • Committees will have 13 members composed of:
      • 3 staff
      • Principal
      • 1 - Task Force member
      • 2 - alumni in 9-12th grade
      • 2 - 8th grade students
      • 2 - 7th grade students
      • 2 - parents
  • September 15 - October 15th the school committees will sort through submissions and narrow the selection to up to 5 choices (preferably 3)
    • During this time the two committees will meet jointly at least once prior to final ballot distribution to discuss submissions and ensure the mascots that will be voted on are not the same, and address any other concerns or questions.
  • October 15-November 15th school based vote
    • All school employees and students will be allowed one vote; the mascot that receives the majority vote will be the winner
  • December 1 announce new mascots