colleyville heritage high school scandal

Too many of them are, but this one certainly is. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. The story said one boy admitted to using them. The move comes a week after the principal and a crowd of supporters attended a school board meeting to address claims from a group of parents who say he is teaching critical race theory. The school district announced Monday,. It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. NO NAMES. One day in the lunchroom, Bryan walked up to a group of students gathered around a table. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. Kids need us! the principal added. People leave me alone. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. He wants to play wide receiver. Ive told you everything I know. Over time, Bryan began to trust them and open up. The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. Colleyville Heritage High School is the 235th largest public high school in Texas and the 1,266th largest nationally. 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. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this Some in the district have accused him of implementing critical race theory in the classroom. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. Ive moved on. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. That they will no longer give into that culture of forcing to assimilate and being ashamed of their identity," said student Sunehra Cowdhury. The decision to place Dr. Whitfield on administrative leave was not a result of statements made by members of the public, including those who spoke at recent meetings of the GCISD Board of Trustees. What did you expect him to say? 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. At Colleyville Heritage High, students rushed to defend James Whitfield, who has been accused of embracing critical race theory and is in danger of being fired. The driver came after him. It was, 'Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict. And when he went to his truck after school, there was a sheet of notebook paper under his windshield wiper with one word scrawled across it: SNITCH.. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. She laughs about it more than she complains. It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. Not Lewis. He looked online and immediately saw a photo of him and his wife on the beach -- a photo shot by a professional photographer on their anniversary. Nine CHHS players have admitted to using steroids. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. An 18-year-old man and a juvenile student are facing criminal charges after a handgun was found inside a student's car at Colleyville Heritage High School on Tuesday. Cunningham has apologized and said it was wrong to say the things he did, but I think anybody would have reacted the same way. I'm ready to turn that next page, Whitfield told The Texas Tribune on Wednesday. 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. 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. It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. I cant run from this. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 . Lewis hung up. Lewis jumped in her car and raced the two miles to CHHS. Can you believe those boys using steroids? one asked. (Everyone already knew, she says.) Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. It was too quiet, she says. Thats it? 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. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. 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. I just want to know, Why? I guess they dont care.. Lesli Ware. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming., In a statement to KXAS-TV (NBC5), the district said the photos it received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. The Grapevine-Colleyville district has taken no action against the students and is reviewing school policies to determine whether disciplinary action will be taken, she said. She was sad that shed been proven right. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. 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! Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. "I wish I had the conviction to say, 'No, I'm not going to take it down; that's a picture of me and my wife kissing on the beach; there's no reason for me to take this photo down.'". Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. Colleyville Heritage 31 Arlington Heights 41 Final Box Score All Contest Videos Oct 15, 2022 @ 2:59am Texas: Defensive Touchdowns from Weekend of Oct 7th, 2022 Watch this highlight video More Videos Oct 14, 2022 @ 5:54pm Contribute to the Team Complete the Schedule Add missing games to the schedule Complete the Roster 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. I wish I had the conviction to say, No, Im not going to take it down thats a picture of me and my wife kissing on the beach. "The only mention we make is a warning on health effects on our Web site," she said. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. In February 2005, The Dallas Morning News published an in-depth report entitled "The Secret Edge", a look at the topic of steroids in high school sports. Rogers said the organization surveyed districts across the state in fall 2002 and asked whether they saw a need for rules on steroids or a program of steroid testing. Ive counted. 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.. He just wants to enjoy his senior year, and I want to do everything I can to help him., But, she says, she believes she has a mission. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the past school year (although $44.1 million of that went to Robin Hood payments). Overall Score 89.05 /100. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. So I wouldnt feel comfortable mowing your lawn.. She says she never used the word condone, and her demeanor in all those phone calls was completely appropriate. He loves his new school. 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. No one has provided any evidence that Cunningham knew about the steroid use on his football team, and theres no evidence that Lori Lewis is a crazy mom. Suite 2100 "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. If you know that is on your trusted email list, contact your child's school office (Grade Level Learning Community, Building, or SLC) to have your email added to the system. Whitfield reached an agreement with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his high school and placed on administrative leave. Colleyville Heritage, however, is the first school in the state to have multiple students admit to using steroids, said Kim Rogers, spokeswoman for the University Interscholastic League. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. Bryan may be able to help, but dont contact him at school. She worried he would be labeled a snitch if it became a public ordeal. No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. Bryan knew who it was. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. Here is a look at the Top 3 girls teams in Class 5A. As the editorial note at the storys end explained, She and her son feared retaliation from other Colleyville athletes, coaches, and parents. Where were you when you first injected them? No spam, ever. 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. But no names were used. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. Lets go, then, he said. 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. 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. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. I think its sweet. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. But the students at CHHS had obviously read the story. It's something he and the district have denied. But other than that, its great. 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. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. And it has nearly ruined their lives. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE. 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 . She is suing the coach and the school district for $1.5 million because Cunningham said Lewis was a liar and crazy in an interview with the News. "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. Theyd made a mistake, she says. On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. 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, Colleyville Heritage principal accused of teaching critical race theory put on paid leave, the principal and a crowd of supporters attended a school board meeting, multiple sources in the district have said, an incident in which a school administrator asked Whitfield to remove a photo of him and his wife, who is white, After call for his firing, Colleyville Heritage principal speaks about critical race theory claims, 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. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. Hes a good kid. First, she noticed the syringes. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. James Whitfield, principal of. He hopes he starts, he says. Not their real names, of course. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. 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. Then, one evening the Courier reporter called Lewis and asked if he could pass along her phone number to two reporters with the Dallas Morning News who were working on a series of stories examining steroid use in high schools all across North Texas. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. Where did you get them? There were several long pauses, she says. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. Im used to it.. A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. No one from the school called her. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. 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. It was the right thing to do. The CHHS kids who posted to the Morning News steroids bulletin boards, saying everyone knew this was a problem, that it is still a problem. She knew it would have to be this way. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville ISD officials. Who is available? She couldnt even get her grass cut? Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. Skater punks, Bryan would call them. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. No, it didnt. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? 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. And the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has adopted an aggressive drug-testing policy, due largely to the hot media glare Lewis helped focus on the school and its tepid (in her view) initial response to her charges. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. 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. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. Do you value our journalism? Hes been up at his schools weight room with other athletes, cleaning the mats, spray-painting the weights, putting the gym junk away. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. Welcome to the Colleyville Heritage PTSA Facebook Page intended to keep our parents, teachers, and students current on upcoming events and opportunities CHHS PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan association that does not endorse any candidate or political party. She wants a million-five. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. 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. The reporters worked other sources. Anna Caplan covers McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville. For nearly 10 years, she wrote restaurant reviews for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and her work has appeared in 360 West, Eater Dallas, Edible DFW, A+C magazine, D CEO, GlobeSt.com and Houstonia magazine. Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. Theyre open late, they have cheap food, and theyre close by. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. ), & 6 (Mon.) 750 North St.Paul St. 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. Mother and son had always been close, though. Faking it wasnt easy. Lewis didnt want to confront Bryan in front of his friends. Read more about CRT here. It was a football player. Dec 29, 2022 The 2022-23 UIL high school soccer season officially starts today and the Star Telegram released its first soccer area rankings this week. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . 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. Then on July 26 of this year, a former school board candidate named Stetson Clark stepped up to the microphone during a public comment period to accuse Whitfield of being an advocate for critical race theory: the idea that racism runs deep and continues to shape American society today. 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. He rolled it down. Feb. 5, 2005. Hes on his third cycle.. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. Normally, the school dismisses at 4 p.m., a district spokesman said, but around 5:15 p.m. the district tweeted that it was doing a controlled dismissal of all students.. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. The tick-tock drama of Bryans story, that compelling personal narrative, the hour-by-hour recounting of his traverse from good kid to drug user, would elevate the series. Dude, I think thats your mom.. Let your love shine so brightly & your positive voice be so loud that it drowns out the noise. 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. I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears," he said. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. People know each other. The e-mails from parents who say they are too scared to be named publicly but who thank her for shaking up the CHHS administration and mighty football program. A few days later, he dialed the players cell phone to arrange delivery, reaching him in an SAT preparation class.. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Besides, she said. Nor was the decision made in response to allegations Dr. Whitfield was teaching Critical Race Theory, or because of the photos on his social media account that were brought to the attention of the District in 2019. He agreed not to name the family members. I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. The school district has called the photos questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator, and they said it has nothing to do with race. He marched into his mothers room and paced in front of her. 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 . His decision. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. He knows its just because she loves him, but, damn, so many other kids get away with telling white lies, staying out late. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. 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. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. They werent snitches. Only one. 8:06 PM on Aug 30, 2021 CDT Updated at 1:21 PM on Sep 1, 2021 CDT. Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. "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?' Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. A new study says yes. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Thats how competitive it is.. Keeping Score: FC Dallas lights up the sky and the net on 80s night vs. LA Galaxy, 71-year-old man with dementia missing in Fort Worth, Expect mostly sunny skies this weekend after severe weather hits North Texas, Keller ISD teacher says school administrators asked him to remove Black Lives Matter banner in classroom, 'If I fold, what do they have left?' I wonder who it was.. All four got out of the car. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. The schools denial. But I didnt want any of this for Bryan, Lewis says. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. No real names, anyway. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. She didnt believe it. Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,925. 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. She says she sued Coach Cunningham not just because she feels his remarks made life tough in Colleyville, but because she says she wants to be sure other schools will think twice before ignoring a whistle-blower. We just have to lay low, she said. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. It was supposed to be a celebration for Whitfield, who had just been named principal of Colleyville Heritage Middle School two years ago, and his family. I wanted to protect him. Football players were calling him Patrick. Conversations stopped when he arrived. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. Colleyville is a majority-white city with only 1% of residents identifying as Black or African American, according to census data. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". Lt. Gov. 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.". Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. You heard that story earlier tonight. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? Thats what everybody should be doing. They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. Focusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed.

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