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. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. ", "Anything that has to do with being inclusive, having a safe and nurturing environment for all students, they want to attach that to CRT, because it's the boogeyman buzzword of the day," added Whitfield. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. He hopes he starts, he says. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. Had it come to that? All four got out of the car. It read nandrolone decanoate.. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Houston is ugly, and I've never felt more at home, Texas A&M upset win clears path for UH to snag top overall seed, This is what Houston looks like from space, Oops! I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. 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.". Example video title will go here for this video. Not one single day.. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. But Colleyville police Detective Hillary Wreay said her department has received no information from the school on the alleged sale or distribution of steroids and has no investigation in progress. Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. 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. 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. Also in the post, the principal referred to an incident in which a school administrator asked Whitfield to remove a photo of him and his wife, who is white, from his Facebook page. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. The Grapevine . 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. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. James Whitfield, 43, principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, has been placed on leave by the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his. Faking it wasnt easy. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville . Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. 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. "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. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. 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. No one could see her talking to school officials. I guess they dont care.. 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 Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. Perhaps that would spur someone to investigate the problem more aggressively. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. I just wish everyone else would.. The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. Lewis was dumbfounded. In early August, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD placed Whitfield on administrative leave. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. Her son, a junior at Colleyville Heritage High School, had several such travel bags in his closet, but the others were all pressed flat, unused. Submission Deadline: 11/4/22. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. James Whitfield at his home in Hurst on Sept. 16. That was months ago. In June, Lewis scheduled to have her lawn mowed by a Mid Cities fireman who runs a small lawn-care company. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. Love will! She opened it wide and turned it to the light. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism and public relations. I'm ready to turn that next page, Whitfield told The Texas Tribune on Wednesday. Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. She knew it would have to be this way. I dont think that was crazy.. RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer 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. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. That evening, she obsessed about its implication. It ate at her. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. Proponents also believe race is culturally invented, not biological. We just have to lay low, she said. 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. COLLEYVILLE The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Tarrant County on Tuesday requested a meeting with the civil rights office of the U.S. Department of Education to discuss the ongoing. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. 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. I just want to know, Why? Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. "They're here to show their voice. But James Whitfield said he took it to mean the issue was he was in an interracial relationship. 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 a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. 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. It was a football player. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. 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. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. Contact info. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. 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 . It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. Cunningham says one of the reasons he reacted the way he did, he was told that she was screaming at school officials and accusing him of condoning the steroid use. 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.". 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. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. Its he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family, Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High, told KXAS, adding that there was no reason to censor him.I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. Hes a happily married man. I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears," he said. 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. 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. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Not Lewis. Only one. When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. "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.'". Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. Why did you stop?Jones and Jacobson, top-notch investigative reporters, had been working on a series of stories about steroid abuse in area high schools. "I think it's sweet. His resignation won't be official. It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. Dallas, Texas 75201. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Football players were calling him Patrick. Conversations stopped when he arrived. The student came forward only after his mother discovered a bag full of syringes and vials of liquids in his bedroom closet. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. But the reporters needed something else. Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. A Black North Texas principal has agreed to resign after being put on paid administrative leave in August amid accusations he was teaching and promoting critical race theory. He sounded drunk. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. She asked the druggist to decipher the label for her. Im going to fight him.. 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 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. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. 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. When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the. Besides, she said. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. Weve always been close, but since this, its been tough. 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. There were several long pauses, she says. Can you take this picture down? Mom, Im going over there. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. Is Whataburger healthy? "They said, 'Could you take it down? She was the founding editor of the websites PureWow Dallas and Racked Dallas. In two sentences, theyd given Bryan away., Patrick arranged the [steroids purchase] with a couple of phone calls, paying $200 to a varsity football player. Dude, I think thats your mom.. It's something he and the district have denied. You heard that story earlier tonight. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. 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. NO NAMES. He's a happily married man. They were extremely polite but thorough. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. They had to get everything ready for when they return after the summer, when Bryan plans to go out for the varsity team. 12. The median household income tops $150,000. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. I wanted to protect him. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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.". It had absolutely nothing to do with race., The photo that aired in initial media reports was not the only photo that was received by the District, Kristin Snively, executive director of communications for the district, wrote in an email to The Dallas Morning News. 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. According to their story, Cunningham went on a 15-minute rant and blamed the then-unidentified mother for creating this problem. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org 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. An 18-year-old man and a juvenile student are facing criminal charges after a handgun was found inside a students car at Colleyville Heritage High School on Tuesday. He loves his new school. Sort of. People know each other. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. Thats how competitive it is.. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. All students and staff are safe, the school . Youget home! she told him. People leave me alone. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. 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.". Texas Teacher of the Year keeps focus on students to drown out political noise, 'Its about a happy classroom': Garland ISD focusing on social emotional learning. Bryan never had to wonder whether his mom was engaged, as Dr. Phil likes to say. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. What's wrong with the picture?' by Brian Lopez Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. 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. Ive counted. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. Some parents learned about the photo incident when they read Whitfields account on Facebook. From the moment I called the school, I didnt want him involved. Buy tickets online here. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. 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. Not their real names, of course. 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. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. 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 . A black high school principal in Texas said he was told by a district official to remove an anniversary photo from Facebook of himself kissing his white wife so as not to stir up stuff amid complaints from parents, according to reports. There were also names. On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. 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. She laughs about it more than she complains. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. 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. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. Lewis was stunned. Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. Its why she doesnt let me talk to, or even see, her husband and younger daughter. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. His decision. They said, Could you take it down? 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. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. 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?' How did you get the syringes? Phone calls can only be accepted the day of the absence. 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. When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. She didnt believe it. They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. Oh, yeah, some of them are still doing it, Bryan says. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. 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. A wave of nausea swept through her. (817) 305-4700. 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. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. He says that many of the football players at Colleyville were introduced to steroids by someone from a nearby rival. 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. 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. When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve.