Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. Its even tough to find a yardman in town. State Rep. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, who is running for state attorney general, recently launched an inquiry into the types of books students can access in Texas schools, which included an 850-book list. Good Lord, Lewis thought. 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. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. I look at the picture, and I look at the words above it, and it says, Is this the Dr. Whitfield we want leading our schools? I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears, said Whitfield, adding that he took it to mean that he was being criticized for being in an interracial relationship. 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. After months of trying, Jones and Jacobson finally interviewed coach Chris Cunningham, who declined to talk to D Magazine through a spokeswoman and through his lawyers. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. What's wrong with the picture?' In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. "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. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. The school district announced Monday,. They are: 1. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. 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. 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. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. But she acknowledges that if shed known then how her city would turn against her, how her son would become ostracized by other kids, how her motives would be mocked on radio and television, how her actions would be second-guessed by police, it would have given her pause. They had to get everything ready for when they return after the summer, when Bryan plans to go out for the varsity team. Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. No one from the school called her. Our School - Colleyville Heritage High School 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. All students and staff are safe, the school . Cunningham wants to know, Why now? Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. Colleyville Heritage principal responds to 'racism and bigotry' | Fort That they will no longer give into that culture of forcing to assimilate and being ashamed of their identity," said student Sunehra Cowdhury. In response to written questions from Jones and Jacobson, the district acknowledged that nine CHHS football players, eight seniors and one junior, had admitted to using steroids. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. No, it didnt. 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. But no names were used. James Whitfield, principal of Colleyville Heritage High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was placed on paid administrative leave in late August, a month after a former school board candidate . 5401 Heritage Ave, Colleyville, Texas | (817) 305-4700. 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. Students at Colleyville Heritage High took the theme and ran with it in a Donald Trump-esqe direction before a game against Trinity High in Euless. Hed been playing sports in Colleyville since tee ball at age 4, and through select baseball and Pee Wee football, all the way through this, his junior year, shed attended every game. He agreed not to name the family members. and I asked, 'Why? Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P: (817) 305-4700 F: (817) 358-4765 E: chhs.info@gcisd.net Quick Facts Year Opened: 1996 Grades: 9th - 12th Enrollment: 1,984 Mascot: Panthers Principal: Julia Stephen Other Important Information/Procedures Hours First Bell: 8:40 a.m. School Ends: 4:00 p.m. It was the right thing to do. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Woman in viral pizza rant now facing ethnic harassment charges, Murdaugh Judge Clifton Newman: From segregated schools to the best we want in our jurists, NYC DOE probing anti-white texts linked to black superintendent, Black children attack, force white kids to say Black Lives Matter at Ohio school: video. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. A Texas school board proposes the non-renewal of a contract for a THEATRE DEPARTMENT. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. She was sad that shed been proven right. 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. When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. 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. Its why she doesnt let me talk to, or even see, her husband and younger daughter. He sold her the needles.. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. Im gonna kick your ass.. Colleyville Heritage High School - en-academic.com Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. 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. 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.". She said it to calm her son. It wont change anything. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville ISD officials. We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. Show us with your support. Devin Bryant, a senior at Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville, says he was expelled for being gay and "evil." Principal Tommy Jeffrey doubles down on his decision, calls LGBTQ lifestyle non . Join us today so we can achieve that goal! Dozens Of Colleyville Heritage High Students Rally In Support Of Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. Five Texas High School Football Scandals James Whitfield, who was named Colleyville Heritage High School's first African-American principal in 2020, posted that during the July 26 board meeting, he was publicly named and accused of . Colleyville High School Principal Says He Expelled Gay Student Because GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. His resignation won't be official. Then, two weeks later, Bryan left a movie theater on a weekend night. While at UT, Catherine served as managing editor of The Daily Texan, UT's student paper, and interned at the Texas Tribune and Houston Chronicle. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. Lewis didnt want to confront Bryan in front of his friends. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. And even if the answer was all of them, how many had gone to Kroger and said she needed them for a horse? The only other known instance in which a group of high school athletes admitted to steroid use was in Buckeye, Ariz., in fall 2003, according to the Associated Press. James Whitfield, the first Black principal at mostly white Colleyville Heritage High School, chose to resign but remain on paid administrative leave until 2023 in a settlement with the school district. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. 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. THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. Can you take this picture down? She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. Lewis was stunned. Colleyville, Texas, principal resigning after critical race theory They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. If I called your boss and said your kids and their friends are using drugs, my kid says youre looking the other way and not doing anything about it and thats not true, what would you say? There were several long pauses, she says. Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. Lewis decided that she had an obligation to inform the school. 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. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. 562. Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. This year Colleyville Heritage High School found only 19 girls out of a school of 2,400 students good enough for their cheerleading squad. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. District Calls Anniversary Photo of High School Principal and His Wife Stressed over the accusations, Whitfield said he couldn't shake the photo incident of 2019 from his head and the district's conclusion the photo was inappropriate. Colleyville players admit to briefly using steroids, Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. He knew where he was: at a party one block over. That they are able to hear and see the students. They said, Could you take it down? Hes been up at his schools weight room with other athletes, cleaning the mats, spray-painting the weights, putting the gym junk away. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. Principal Speaks Out After School District Brands His Anniversary Pic He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. 'It's Become Blatant Racism': Colleyville Students Pledge - KERA I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. It ate at her. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. Never missed one, she says proudly. I love them, they love me," Whitfield said in an interview with WFAA's Jason Whitely on the same day the students walked out of school to support him. I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears," he said. They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. 972-983-4822 cell. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. The median household income tops $150,000. Not their real names, of course. No one could see her talking to school officials. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. She went to sleep thinking it was the right thing to do. Lewis begged him to calm down. Do you value our journalism? This one held something. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Anybody really believe that? Detractors have problem with diversity, suspended Colleyville Heritage "They're here to show their voice. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. 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. At that moment, it didnt seem like an earth-shattering admission. How did you feel? The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. GPA/Ranking - Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School - SharpSchool Clark said Whitfield was encouraging the disruption and destruction of our district because Whitfield, the high school's first Black principal, wrote a letter to the community during the summer of 2020 detailing how hurt he was over the deaths of three Black Americans: George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. And it has nearly ruined their lives. Faking it wasnt easy. Jones and Jacobson, sick that theyd inadvertently revealed Bryans identity, suggested that the papers lawyers could convince the school district to pay for Bryans tuition. Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: Earlier this week, Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency, along with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the State Board of Education, to develop statewide standards preventing "obscene content in Texas public schools.". Had it come to that? It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. A wave of nausea swept through her. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. Hes a good kid. 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. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, TX - US News Best High Some parents learned about the photo incident when they read Whitfields account on Facebook. She laughs about it more than she complains. Minutes later, her son, Bryan Dyer (Lewis remarried in 1993), walked out of the school with a friend and headed toward his truck. Opposition to critical race theory has become a rallying cry for Texas Republican leaders, who claim its indoctrinating students and teaching white students that they are racist. Wednesday and Thursday shows are cancelled due to inclement weather. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. Note! That Friday after the story had come out, near midnight, Bryan got a call on his cell phone. But James Whitfield said he took it to mean the issue was he was in an interracial relationship. 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. Later, they showed Bryan the list. She didnt believe it. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Lt. Gov. She hurried downstairs and called the pharmacy at the nearby Walgreens. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. 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. ABSENCES. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". Whitfield is now speaking out about the incident and responding to what he claims are bigoted and racist attacks, including accusations that he is a proponent of critical race theory. Hes a happily married man. Her discovery. Were set to play more disadvantaged and diverse opponents Trinity. In June, Lewis scheduled to have her lawn mowed by a Mid Cities fireman who runs a small lawn-care company. Chuck Schumer aims for weekend vote on bipartisan $1T infr Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, Tom Sandoval speaks out on Raquel Leviss affair: I deserve your anger, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Chris Rock Places All The Blame On The Will Smith Slap On Jada Pinkett Smith And Red Table Talk: Everybody Called Him A Bitch!, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval have awkward moment amid cheating scandal. Three of his best friends have transferred to it in the past few years, so he has his core group of buddies together. But the students at CHHS had obviously read the story. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. Heritage High School It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. Lewis told Beal that her son had used steroids, that he obtained them from other kids on the team, that they got them from someone at the nearby Whataburger. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. He loves his new school. Even though it was approved by the district, the presentation was used to vilify my colleagues and me, he wrote. What did you expect him to say? The Grapevine . Mother and son had always been close, though. Under mounting pressure from district officials, local and national media, and law enforcement, a total of nine other CHHS athletes confessed to use of steroids and other PEDs. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. There were also names. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. Maybe he wont tell anyone.Then she read paragraph 33, which detailed Patricks efforts to have a woman buy his needles so he wouldnt arouse suspicion: The cheerleader went to a nearby Kroger supermarket. Lewis jumped in her car and raced the two miles to CHHS. # 1,954 in National Rankings. The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. They know.. Read more about CRT here. I knew what I was getting into. In fact, she knows that by filing a slander suit against the schools football coach, Chris Cunningham, she has only invited more recrimination. Colleyville Heritage High School's new principal, Dr. James Whitfield, is now speaking out saying he wishes he could've taken more of a stand in 2019 after his photo first stirred up. She said that many other football players were using them, and her son told her that, because many players knew about it, the coaches either knew and didnt care or didnt want to know so they didnt ask how players had made sudden increases in strength and size. "They said, 'Could you take it down? Just over a month later, the district has suspended Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield without explanation, he told The Washington Post on Tuesday. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, TX - Niche Overall Score 89.05 /100. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. The coach, Chris Cunningham, denied the accusations in reports published at the time and said he was adamantly against steroids. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . I just wish everyone else would.. 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. But he said trouble began as far back as 2019 when someone complained to administrators he was setting a "bad example" by posting pictures of himself kissing his wife on Facebook. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. Oh, that. 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 -. He mentions a senior. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. We remain committed to providing a learning environment at Colleyville Heritage that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement," Grapevine-Colleyville ISD said in a news release. Colleyville Heritage High School - Colleyville, Texas - TX | GreatSchools She was still at her sales conference. There were four teenagers inside, two in the front seat, two in back. That evening, she obsessed about its implication.
