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. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. 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. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) He knew where he was: at a party one block over. 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. As a new campus principal, we wanted to provide a smooth transition for Dr. Whitfield to Heritage Middle School, which is why we advised him of the concern and made a request for the photos to be taken down from Facebook.". While the move may have been about personnel, Whitfield said it feels personal. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. Faking it wasnt easy. But on the other hand, if you can get a million-five from everyone who says youre a liar and youre crazy, then Im gonna get me a lawyer, and Im gonna be a rich man., EVERYONE IS MAD AT LORI LEWIS these days, either for suing the high school football coach or for not keeping her mouth shut in the first place. Only one. 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. My friends are used to it. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Beal said she was not cooperating. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. Mom, they already know. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. Hes not happy that Im still talking to the media. They werent snitches. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. The high school has about 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades. Bryan understands, she says. 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. Critical race theory, or CRT, is an academic discipline usually taught at the university level. That evening, she obsessed about its implication. When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". Too many of them are, but this one certainly is. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. The professionally shot photos, which were provided to People magazine by the Grapevine-Colleyville school district, show the couple in an intimate pose on a beach. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. The driver came after him. 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. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Lewis was stunned. We just have to lay low, she said. He has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. 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. 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. 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. But the reporters needed something else. In a letter to parents Monday, Superintendent Robin Ryan wrote that Whitfield has been placed on leave but that he would not go into the specifics because it is a personnel matter., Whitfield, the schools first Black principal, told The Dallas Morning News on Monday night that he was told he was put on leave indefinitely because the superintendent has determined that doing so is in the best interest of the District.. Love will! It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. 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. 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. Submission Deadline: 11/4/22. 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. In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. Why would he use steroids? Even though it was approved by the district, the presentation was used to vilify my colleagues and me, he wrote. 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.. She says she has had to endure the communitys anger despite what should have been ample vindication: the Dallas Morning News, in an ongoing and exhaustive investigative series, has proven that steroids use in North Texas high schools is greater than many want to believe. 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. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. 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. At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. Lesli Ware. Bryan never had to wonder whether his mom was engaged, as Dr. Phil likes to say. 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. Website. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. No one from the school called her. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. Youget home! she told him. She checked the time. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 750 North St.Paul St. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. 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. 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. 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. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville ISD officials. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. I wonder who it was.. But James Whitfield said he took it to mean the issue was he was in an interracial relationship. He knows its just because she loves him, but, damn, so many other kids get away with telling white lies, staying out late. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. Because the use took place away from school and in the off-season, when it was not related to a school activity, it is unclear whether any school policies have been violated, McClure said. 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. No, it didnt. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. 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. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. One of those parents complained. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. The median household income tops $150,000. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics Other articles related to "steroid controversy, steroid, steroids": ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. The story said one boy admitted to using them. The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. That Friday after the story had come out, near midnight, Bryan got a call on his cell phone. Cooper vs. Colleyville Heritage - Texas High School Girls Basketball mr buva 0 No views 52 seconds ago #highschoolbasketball Stream Here https://gametoday.hs-sport.live/highs. People know each other. The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. Lets go, then, he said. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. 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. It was too quiet, she says. ), & 6 (Mon.) "Because of his extreme views I ask that a full review of Mr. Whitfield's tenure in our district be examined and that his contract be terminated effective immediately," said Clark, who lost a recent campaign to join the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board. 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). We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. I guess they dont care.. 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. Football players were calling him Patrick. Conversations stopped when he arrived. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. Thats what everybody should be doing. That was months ago. She went to sleep thinking it was the right thing to do. As Lewis recalls, Beal said, Ive talked to Coach Cunningham, and he says its not true. How long did you do it? So I wouldnt feel comfortable mowing your lawn.. 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. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the. As part of a settlement between Whitfield and the district, he will remain on paid administrative leave until then. Colleyville Heritage High School. It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. Gregg Jones and Gary Jacobson sat at Lewis kitchen table, in her upper-middle-class, redbrick home, on a quiet street in Colleyville, and grilled the mother and son for hours, during several interview sessions. The coaches had told him to get bigger and stronger if he wanted to earn a starting position, he said. Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. 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. 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. She said it to calm her son. Oh, that. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. I cant run from this. I dont think that was crazy.. It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this I thought, Wow, that didnt work. On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. What's wrong with the picture?' 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Theyd made a mistake, she says. 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? It ate at her. First, she noticed the syringes. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. Ive moved on. A new study says yes. This story has been shared 117,245 times. It was a football player. 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. That they are able to hear and see the students. Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. Anybody really believe that? It had absolutely nothing to do with race. 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. Is Whataburger healthy? In the minds of many, she carries with her the scarlet S affixed to those in small towns, suburban or rural, who dont honor the sanctity of high school football: snitch, squealer, sinner.
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