Coachella Valley High To Keep 'Arabs' Name, May Change Mascot

THERMAL (AP) — School officials in Southern California say the "Arabs" name is here to stay, but the divisive costumed mascot that represents them may be changing.

The Desert Sun reports that the Coachella Valley Unified School District held a special meeting Friday night to address the recent dustup over the Coachella Valley High School Arabs and their bearded, snarling mascot who wears a headscarf.

Superintendent Darryl Adams said at the meeting that changing the "Arabs" name used by the school since the 1920s is off the table.

But he says district officials will meet next week with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination committee, a group that has demanded the mascot be tossed. Adams says district officials are open to changing the polarizing image represented by the costume and will make an announcement on its future next week.

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