The new Canyons School District roared to a start Wednesday with Harley-Davidsons and school buses leading the way.

Breaking down barriers and changing community attitudes is going to require strength and unity, Canyons district superintendent Dave Doty told the Deseret News.

"Our biggest challenge going forward still remains to unite these five communities in a common vision," he said.

Community outreach is the answer, he said. "We want to get out and meet with and listen to a lot of people."

Revealing the district's new logo during a sign unveiling ceremony at Hillcrest High School in Midvale, Doty said the "A" in Canyons, with no horizontal line, is a Greek symbol.

"We like the symbolism of having a Greek letter in the logo," he said. "The Greeks are well known for being innovative and perpetuating learning."

The logo is the sun over three mountains displayed on an open book. The logo is symbolic of how business will be done in the district, with openness and transparency, helping students reach the summit of success, district officials said.

A bus parade at Cottonwood Heights Elementary School in Sandy was led by two leather-clad school board members Tracy Cowdell and Sherril Taylor on their roaring Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Seven buses, filled with cheering district employees, children and community members, honked their horns and showed off fresh lettering on the sides touting "Canyons School District."

Cowdell said he initially was against the split of the original Jordan District into two, but has since changed his mind. "I was wrong," he told the crowd at the sign unveiling event. "Even if we weren't all together in the beginning, we are now," he said.

Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini likened the new district to a newborn baby. "This is not a divorce. This is not a separation. It's a birth."

The community joined Canyons officials in cutting a white cake emblazoned with the district logo.

Parent Laura Kenner of Cottonwood Heights said she believes the new district is headed for greatness. "We're excited to have a smaller district with more local control," she said. "We think Dr. Doty has great ideas. We are pleased this is happening." She has a fourth-grader and first-grader at Oakdale Elementary School in Sandy.

Doty sent out his electronic newsletter "Between the Lines" Wednesday. He wrote: "Let us all join forces to win victory for the children of the Canyons School District."

In November 2007, east-side residents voted to leave Jordan district and form their own school district. The west side segment remains Jordan District. Canyons includes the communities of Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Midvale, Alta and Draper.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com