FAQs

Q: Why is Clairemont HS changing its mascot?

A: Assembly Bill 3074, the Racial Mascots Bill, was passed by the CA State Legislature in September 2024. This bill makes it unlawful for terms connected to Native American culture to be used as high school mascots; this bill includes the term "Chieftain" among others. You may read the bill here: AB 3074.  Read CHS's letter to the community here: CHS Mascot Change Communication.

Q: How will the new mascot be selected?

A: As per the newly adopted SDUSD Board Policy and Administrative Regulation (AR) 7310, public Town Hall meetings will be hosted by the Mascot Naming Committee at Clairemont HS beginning in September 2025 through January 2026. Different possibilities will be discussed in these Town Hall meetings with a final decision to be made by January 2026. The discussions and the decision to be finalized by the Naming Committee will be made as part of the Town Hall meetings. The Naming Committee will then propose the selected Mascot to the SDUSD Board to be approved by July 1, 2026. The new Mascot will be implemented beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Q: When are the dates, times, and location of the Listening /Input Sessions?

A: The Town Hall meeting dates and times will take place from September 2025 - January 2026 in the CHS Cafeteria. The specific dates are:

September 24, 2025 October 7, 2025 November 5, 2025 December 3, 2025 January 7, 2026 January 20, 2026

Q: Who will make up the Naming Committee?

A: Per AR 7310, the naming committee will be made of no more than ten (10) persons to include: a. one (1) SDUSD district office employee (from the Equity and Inclusion department); b. one (1) SDUSD Board Member (Area A Trustee); c. one (1) District Administrator (Area A Superintendent); d. two (2) student representatives (current CHS students to be selected by the student body in August 2025); e. two (2) community members (as approved by the CHS SGT, one (1) parent of a current Clairemont Cluster school; one (1) resident of Clairemont, both to be selected by random draw in August 2025); f. one (1)/the School Principal (CHS principal) and, g. two (2) school staff members (to include, as approved by the CHS SGT, the CHS Athletic Director and one additional CHS staff member to be selected by the CHS staff in August 2025).

Q. How can I submit my name to be eligible for one of the Community Member positions on the Naming Committee?

A: To submit your name as either a) a parent/guardian of a current student enrolled in a Clairemont Cluster school or b) a resident who resides in the boundaries of Clairemont High School, complete and submit this form by August 20, 2025: CHS Mascot Naming Committee Community Representative.  Please note to be on the naming committee you must a) be available and present in-person for all Town Hall meetings and, b) participate with an open mind - the purpose is not to debate this change or ensure "your" suggestion is selected. Two (2) names will be selected by a random draw by the end of August 2025.

Q: Will the Town Hall meetings be streamed/can I connect remotely?

A: Yes. The Town Hall meetings will be live-streamed. Please use the CHS Mascot Naming Input Form to share your suggestions if you will not or can not be present in-person.

Q: Can I submit a suggestion even if I can't take part in the Town Hall meetings?

A. Yes. You can submit a suggestion via this form: CHS Mascot Naming Input Form. Please note suggestions cannot be duplicates of any current SDUSD high schools.

Q: Will the school name or colors be changed?

A: No. Clairemont High School will remain Clairemont High School and the school colors will remain orange and blue.

Q: Has Clairemont HS or SDUSD reached out to the local tribes for their opinion and input on or to grant an exception for CHS for AB 3074?

A: Yes. Local tribal leaders and members have voiced their support for AB 3074 and their expectation of SDUSD and Clairemont HS to follow the law as written and change the mascot. Their response can be found here: IEP Letter to SDUSD.

Q: I am an alumnus of Clairemont HS but no longer live in Clairemont. Can I submit my name to be part of the Naming Committee?

A: No. While we appreciate our alumni, you must be a parent of a current Clairemont cluster student and/or currently reside in the boundaries of Clairemont HS to be eligible to be on the Naming Committee. You may attend the Town Hall meetings to share your input or  suggestions via the CHS Mascot Naming Input form.