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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 15, 2015 | 20 Dolphin will stay as Pilgrim Wood celebrates 25 years by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff As Pilgrim Wood Public School celebrates its 25th anniversary this school year, suggestions that it may be time to change its mascot, Splash the Dolphin, created waves in the school community and beyond. However, it looks like Splash will be kept as the school's symbol, despite the recent discussions. "We would like to thank the students, parents, and community members who provided us with input regarding the Pilgrim Wood School mascot," Halton District School Board (HDSB) Communications Officer Jason Misner said. "We have followed a process to collect feedback and have made a decision. Based on the feedback that we have received, we have decided to maintain our current mascot, `Splash the Dolphin'." An online petition, which garnered at least two dozen signatures, was circulated in August, calling on the school's principal and school council to retain Splash. Discussion of a change in mascot arose when incoming principal Gurdeep Lall met with the school community to learn more about it, explained HDSB Communications Manager Marnie Denton. Amid that discussion, student parliament asked about a change in the mascot and logo. "They wanted something different, maybe newer, and the principal said he'd look into it," said Denton. Federal election day is Monday Are you ready to vote? If you're a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, you can vote in the federal election. Your voter information card tells you when and where to vote. If you didn't receive your card, you can still register and vote at your polling place. To find out where to vote, and what ID to bring, visit elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 ( TTY 1-800-361-8935). Elections Canada has all the information you need to be ready to vote. Pilgrim Wood dolphin logo After receiving feedback from staff, the parent council and some community members, student input was sought. A vote was held in which students from Grades 1-8 were asked to weigh in and, according to Denton, they voted "overwhelmingly" for a change. The information was in a newsletter home last May, but few comments were received. When school resumed, there was more feedback. Resident Wendy Gunn, whose youngest son graduated from the school in 2008, but who remained active at the school, created the online petition and Facebook Group called Save the PW Dolphins. She believes a mascot should be kept for the entire life of a school. "We have some amazing students who have gone through the school in the last 25 years, they've gone on to be incredible citizens in the world and I think they've made those accomplishments starting out their lives as Dolphins," she said. "The dolphin represents such great characteristics. It's very intellectual, clever, very friendly -- there's so many things it represents and great thought went into (choosing) it when the school opened 25 years ago." Gunn met with the principal last summer and attended a parent council meeting to express her concern. "Dolphins are playful, happy creatures preferring the company of other dolphins rather than travelling alone," the petition states. "They communicate openly with one another, working as a team to overcome difficulties. The dolphin's behaviour reflects the kind of relationship we encourage at Pilgrim Wood." Gunn argued it would be "fiscally irresponsible" to make a change when taking into account the cost of new letterhead, sports teams pinnies and any other item that would have the mascot and school logo attached to it. Courtney den Elzen, a 2009 Pilgrim Wood graduate, said she would be devastated by a change. "Losing our mascot is so much more than just a change of colours and letterhead," she told the Beaver via email. "It feels like the erasing of our hard-earned titles and championships, moments of exploding pride and crushing heartbreak, and successes and failures on and off the field. Not to mention more personal memories." Lisa Kohler, co-chair of the school's parent council, said feedback from the community was welcome. "We are all part of the community," she said. "No one wants to be divisive." Koehler said discussion about the mascot was done with "good intentions," giving students a voice and opening discussion as they appeared to favour a change. A school council listens to students and encourages a positive environment where students feel "engaged" and take "ownership and pride" in their community, said Koehler. Gunn plans to ask the school board for a by-law to ensure schools keep their mascots for the life of the school. AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE! 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