DUSD to consider names, mascot for new middle school

DINUBA – Dinubans who want a say in the naming of the new middle school or who have strong feelings about mascots will have the chance to voice their opinions at the next school board meeting. 

A public hearing is scheduled for the Dinuba Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 26, at which time the board will take public comment regarding the selection of a school name and mascot for the new middle school planned for the former Dinuba High School campus in downtown. The board meeting is scheduled to begin at or shortly after 6 p.m. at the Dinuba Unified District Office boardroom.

In January, DUSD gathered community input on school and mascot names and the options have since been narrowed to five.

Potential names for the new middle school include: Dinuba Intermediate School, Mountain View Intermediate School, Burt Rutan Intermediate School and Sequoia Intermediate School. Potential mascots include the knights, hawks, falcons, defenders and wolves. 

The existing middle school is named Washington Intermediate School and its mascot is the Thunderbirds. With that, the district has been leaning toward keeping the new middle school’s mascot as a bird as well. 

Community members, including parents and teachers, are invited to the public hearing to provide their input. Per district policy, the DUSD board will make the final decision on the facility’s name and mascot.