Some parents from Colleyville Heritage learned of the photo incident after a lengthy social media post Whitfield made over the weekend about the accusations he's faced and the pressure he and his family have been under, including the frustration over the district asking him to take down the photo. Theres SO much, but I am beyond humbled by the kindness, support, love, & encouragement being shown to me and my family, he said in a tweet. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. Whitfield, who was named principal of Colleyville Heritage High School ahead of the 2020-21 school year, has been accused online and in board meetings of teaching critical race theory and promoting a belief that white people are inherently racist. A wave of nausea swept through her. Contact info. ON FEBRUARY 12, A SATURDAY, LEWIS WALKED into a salon to have her hair done. But they would not be more specific. Among other things, SB 3 bans schools from making political activism part of a course and says teachers may not be compelled to talk about a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.. Sort of. They even went to football games, sat in the stands, and made a list of the players who looked like they might be using steroids, based on the common signs: acne, muscular definition, rage. How did you get the syringes? First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. And even if the answer was all of them, how many had gone to Kroger and said she needed them for a horse? In June, Lewis scheduled to have her lawn mowed by a Mid Cities fireman who runs a small lawn-care company. She hurried downstairs and called the pharmacy at the nearby Walgreens. A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. 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Dallas, Texas 75201. Dave Denning, a former Grapevine High School principal, will serve as interim leader of the campus, Ryan said. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE. It was all there. Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. Where were you when you first injected them? Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. Where did you get them? "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. LIVE: Colleyville Heritage vs. Grapevine | 2023 High School Soccer - YouTube Premieres in 4 hours February 21 at 4:00 PM Rice Memorial vs. Colchester | 2023 High School Boys Basketball. Not quoted are the audible giggles of news anchor Gloria Campos: The mother who helped uncover the steroid use at Colleyville Heritage High School, Lori Lewis, is suing football coach Chris Cunningham. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. With some of her neighbors not talking to her, she decided to take the next step. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. In early August, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD placed Whitfield on administrative leave. But the moms wouldnt tell the other moms about it, because they want their kid to have an edge. They were changed to Patrick and Michelle. Feb. 5, 2005. Aria Jones, Breaking news reporter. Colleyville Heritage High School (TX) Varsity Basketball Colleyville Heritage Panthers Varsity Boys Basketball Colleyville, TX 22-23 V. Basketball Home Schedule Roster Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / Colleyville Heritage High School Basketball Colleyville Heritage Basketball OVERALL 22-10 0.69 Win % DISTRICT 9-5 4th in District Its pretty simple. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. Let your love shine so brightly & your positive voice be so loud that it drowns out the noise. Lewis was dumbfounded. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. Because even though Lewis did the right thing, and even though she took every measure to protect her sons identity when she made that call and then later took her story to the media, it is Bryan who ultimately paid the price for his moms principled stand. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville . Example video title will go here for this video. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. "We don't make rules unless we're asked by our member schools.". The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. It was the right thing to do. He's a happily married man. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, a wealthy suburban district northeast of Fort Worth, said eight seniors and one junior admitted using the performance-enhancing drugs for a short period last spring. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. While the status of this as an ongoing personnel matter limits the information that the District can disclose about the events leading up to this decision, the speculation and conjecture that surround these events warrant some additional context. Live. and I asked, 'Why? He rolled it down. But on Friday morning, students marched out of school to protest his treatment by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD administration, and to demand that their beloved principal be brought back to the campus. The school district announced Monday,. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. Read more about CRT here. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Dozens of students and parents rallied outside Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's school board meeting Monday night, August 23, to show support for Colleyville. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. Except for a few friends, he felt ostracized. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. I think it's silly, I can't see why a husband and wife can't have a picture of them in a sweet moment.". Beal said she was not cooperating. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. A new study says yes. He received a disciplinary letter from the district a few weeks later and was placed on administrative leave soon after that. She didnt believe it. "The vast majority of people in that community, they know who I am. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. Grapevine-Colleyville sources have said that the district does not teach CRT, a doctrine that pushes the notion that racism underpins Americas history, laws and institutions, according to the Dallas Morning News. They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. Colleyville Heritage High School. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Houston Rockets poised to reap benefits from Eric Gordon trade, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, Why Johnson City in Texas Hill Country is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. Thinks he will. Lewis jumped in her car and raced the two miles to CHHS. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. Mother and son had always been close, though. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, 18-year-old man, student face charges after gun found in car at Colleyville Heritage High School, What we know after 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defers comment on revival of sexual harassment lawsuit. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. Hed only used them for a short while at the end of his sophomore year, when he wanted to make the varsity team as a junior. They were extremely polite but thorough. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics, And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.Thomas Hobbes (15791688), Bret Boone - Professional Career - Legacy -. Dr. James Whitfield, the former principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, filed a $250,000 defamation lawsuit against Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and board member Tammy . Summarizing his defense, he finally blurted, Mom, the majority of the football team is taking them.. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. The scandal at CHHS, as well as the well-publicized suicide of a student-athlete in Plano, Texas resulted in the implementation of random drug testing by the University Interscholastic League in 2007. James Whitfield - Colleyville Heritage High Principal (CBS 11), Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Releases New Statement On Decision To Put Principal James Whitfield On Paid Administrative Leave. If a student must be absent from school a parent should call or email the school Attendance Office, the day of the absence, to report the student's name and the reason. The school and district officials dismissed the mother's claims, and the school's head football coach went as far calling her a "liar" in a Dallas Morning News interview. He wrote on Facebook that he could not ask others to speak up if he wont and just because I am a school administrator that does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself.. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. The coaches had told him to get bigger and stronger if he wanted to earn a starting position, he said. Never missed one, she says proudly. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. She has begun to work with Don Hooton, the Plano father whose 17-year-old son committed suicide in July 2003 because of his steroids-induced depression, to raise steroid awareness and stiffen national testing laws. Aug. 5, 2021 In June 2019, shortly after James Whitfield, a Black educator, was hired as the principal of a middle school in Colleyville, Texas, an administrator with the school district. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. In a Sept. 1 written statement the district said: "The District has received numerous questions regarding the decision to place Dr. James Whitfield on paid administrative leave. Lewis was stunned. She was still at her sales conference. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. But the reporters needed something else. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. Who knew? The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. This year Colleyville Heritage High School found only 19 girls out of a school of 2,400 students good enough for their cheerleading squad. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. Arent they illegal now? They asked Bryan to relive every detail. Love will! This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Oh, no. Aug. 31The Colleyville Heritage High School principal who was put on paid administrative leave after he was placed at the center of a critical race theory debate said he has been given no . It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. I wanted to protect him. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". MOM ON A MISSION: Lewis (left) admits that if she had known how her city would turn against her, how her son Bryan (right) would be ostracized, how her actions would be second-guessed by the police, it would have made her think twice. The reporters worked other sources. Bryan never had to wonder whether his mom was engaged, as Dr. Phil likes to say. He will step down as principal at Colleyville Heritage High School and remain on paid leave until 2023. first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting. He mentions a senior. Whitfield wrote that the allegations were connected to a 2019 presentation he took part in as middle school principal on Breaking the Barriers that addressed peoples differences. HERE IS PART OF ABC CHANNEL 8 SPORTS director Dale Hansens on-air editorial from April 19, the day Lewis filed a lawsuit against Coach Chris Cunningham for slander, asking for $1.5 million in damages. A petition in support of Whitfield has hundreds of signatures, and he said he's humbled for the support he's received and regrets he held this in for so long. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. She makes mention of that one time someone said or did something to her daughter relating to the steroids backlash, but when I ask about it, she says she wont talk about it. The CHHS teacher who cornered her in the parking lot after the second public hearing and told her many teachers supported her but were afraid to speak out. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. All rights reserved, Highlighter: North Texas Students Help NASA Scientists, Educational Trailers Stolen After Presentations at Dallas Schools, Novak Djokovic Denied' US Entry Ahead Of Indian Wells, Joe Biden Asked To Intervene, Counseling Services Offered After Three Children Killed, Two Hurt In Ellis County, Check Your Change! The paper sent a photographer, who took a picture of the vial of steroids, commonly known as Deca. And the story ran on the front page of the Courier on October 1, under a three-column headline that read: Steroid Use Suspected in Some Area Schools., The impact on the administration was less than shed hoped. Officers were called around . She couldnt even get her grass cut? I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. The theory's central idea is that racism is not something restricted to individuals, but that bias is something embedded in policies and legal systems. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. They werent too happy with me, she says. Theyd made a mistake, she says. Nine CHHS players have admitted to using steroids. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . Its even tough to find a yardman in town. Told that, McClure said she was certain the information had been passed on to the Colleyville department. He knows its just because she loves him, but, damn, so many other kids get away with telling white lies, staying out late. People leave me alone. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. , Lori Lewis says the comments by Coach Cunningham slandered her and her reputation has been damaged. Thats it? My friends are used to it. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield opened up in a lengthy Facebook post on July 31 about the incident from 2019 shortly after he had been promoted to the top post at the middle school. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. All students and staff are safe, the school . Lets go, then, he said. In May 2018, Dr. Ryan was named the 2018 Region XI Superintendent of the Year. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". Lewis decided that she had an obligation to inform the school. Whether the district acted over concerns from parents over racial issues or the way the couple was posed, Roppollo said there was no reason to censor the principal. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. Had that photo been the only image, there would have been no request to remove it., In the superintendents letter Monday, Ryan told parents that the entire District leadership team and I are fully committed to the success and well-being of Colleyville Heritage students as we move forward together.. The coach, Chris Cunningham, denied the accusations in reports published at the time and said he was adamantly against steroids. Ive counted. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. At the first public hearing the school district held to discuss the issue, including spending money for more drug testing, not one parent showed up. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. The decision. The high school has been categorized as one of the top 100 high schools in the United States of America by the Newsweek magazine's Challenge Index. It was too quiet, she says. Scholars developed it during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. The architects of the theory argue that the United States was founded on the theft of land and labor and that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people on the basis of race. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal After finding steroids in her son's athletic bag in September of 2004, a Colleyville Heritage mom approached school administrators after. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. Over the next year, he wants to work closely with educators and students, especially helping teachers who are fearful that what happened to him will happen to them. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. The students created a fake wall with the. The curriculum, an academic framework that says racism is a systemic problem perpetuated by government policies and institutions, is not taught in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, multiple sources in the district have said. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. Bryan knew who it was. I am the first African American to assume the role of Principal at my current school in its 25-year history, and I am keenly aware of how much fear this strikes in the hearts of a small minority who would much rather things go back to the way they used to be, he wrote. Thank you for spreading love! McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. It didnt take long for more questions to come. RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer The answer, anabolic steroids, provided a bit of relief. The scandal at CHHS, as well as the well-publicized suicide of a student-athlete in Plano, Texas resulted in the implementation of random drug testing by the University Interscholastic League in 2007. I know that there's just so many people under these attacks and that's my greatest fear because this profession means so much to me, he said. Theres no reason for me to take this photo down,' he told KXAS. The school district told KXAS in a statement: When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Wed have to move if our names came out, she said.. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? / CBS Texas, UPDATE: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Releases New Statement On Decision To Put Principal James Whitfield On Paid Administrative Leave. But James Whitfield said he took it to mean the issue was he was in an interracial relationship. Sitting in her living room, Lewis moans slightly and puts her head down when her son explains what his life is like now: I just want this to be over, Bryan, 17, says. It ate at her. He told KXAS that he received an email at the time from a school administrator containing an image of himself and his wife, Kerrie, kissing on their anniversary trip. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. Well, I had an interesting day, he told his mother by phone that night. The median household income tops $150,000. Cunningham wants to know, Why now? THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. Not Bryans. Dude, I think thats your mom.. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. 6 /10. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 It centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nations institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society. Whitfield added that he has no regrets over what has transpired over the last couple of months, hes happy that he stood up for what he believed in and he hopes thats what people can learn from his situation. Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. What's wrong with the picture?' This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Proposed Texas bill gives tax cuts to heterosexual families only, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards. Im going to fight him.. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. First, she noticed the syringes. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. Im gonna beat your ass.. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. "That show of love and support is a signal for me that in some form or fashion, I've made an impact in their lives and that's what I'm here to do," said Whitfield. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. But other than that, its great. 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