News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Taxing Long Island
Stony Brook Medicine

U.S. Education Department says Connetquot broke law by changing mascot

The district made the change to comply with a New York State ban on Native American imagery and mascots in schools.

Tara Rincon

Jan 23, 2026, 5:18 AM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

A Suffolk County school district is under fire for complying with a state order.

The United States Department of Education says Connetquot School District violated the Civil Rights Act when it changed its Thunderbirds mascot to "T-Birds."

The district made the change to comply with a New York State ban on Native American imagery and mascots in schools.

Connetquot officials say they are reviewing the federal report.

News 12 reached out to the state for comment and are waiting to hear back.

More Stories

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices