How does the Jamestown Jaguars sound? How about the Red Cats?

Five potential nicknames for Jamestown High School’s new mascot have been put forth in a survey that will be open for community input through Friday, June 30. In addition to Jaguars and Red Cats, other options include Red & Green, Panthers and Catamounts, with the latter — for those not familiar — being defined as a medium-sized or large wild cat.

For those keen on another nickname, the survey allows for options to be submitted.

The Mascot Community Survey — available at jpsny.org/mascot — is among the first steps being undertaken at Jamestown Public Schools to move on from the long-held Red Raiders nickname at the high school. On June 6, school board members approved the district’s transition timeline for a new mascot as required by the state Education Department.

“Recently the JHS Mascot Committee met to discuss the issue of the JHS Red Raiders nickname,” Ben Drake, high school athletic director, said after the June 6 school board meeting. “This plan will allow us to meet the deadline set by the New York State Education Department.”

“As we transition to this new chapter in Jamestown High School’s history, we encourage the public — parents, community members, and alumni alike — to share their ideas for our mascot’s new name,” Drake continued.

The transition plan calls for an open forum with students to be conducted in June to include background information, education, discussion and a survey for students to provide their opinions

Over the course of July and August, the committee will conduct follow-up meetings to discuss the open forums and survey results and conduct surveys to narrow down the list of possible new names. The committee will then aim to make a recommendation to the board of education and detail a specific timeline for a new name by December 2023.