colleyville heritage high school scandal colleyville heritage high school scandal

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. 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. Dude, I think thats your mom.. Its even tough to find a yardman in town. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. I think its silly, I cant see why a husband and wife cant have a picture of them in a sweet moment, she said. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. But the reporters needed something else. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. The schools denial. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. Hey, you little pussy, he said. Im gonna kick your ass.. 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. Not their real names, of course. She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. There were several long pauses, she says. The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board voted unanimously on a proposal Monday not to renew the contract of suspended Heritage High School principal James Whitfield. ", "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. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. How many of them bought needles for players? They could not tell anyone her identityor else, as she put it, I will sue you. Given the extreme care administrators used with her identity in e-mail correspondence during the next few months (obtained by D Magazine), they took her threat seriously. 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. I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears," he said. 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 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 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. Hes on his third cycle.. The reporters worked other sources. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. She hurried downstairs and called the pharmacy at the nearby Walgreens. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this 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. 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. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. 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. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. They were extremely polite but thorough. They know.. But on Friday morning, students marched out of school to protest his treatment by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD administration, and to demand that their beloved principal be brought back to the campus. The driver came after him. Phone calls can only be accepted the day of the absence. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. Whitfield's wife Kerrie said she took the photo to mean a black man with a tattoo on his arm was inappropriate. 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 . COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School is a top rated, public school located in COLLEYVILLE, TX. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. 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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. (Cunningham says that at the time of the remarks, he didnt know Lewis identity, and he has since apologized.) Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. Only one. Hed only used them for a short while at the end of his sophomore year, when he wanted to make the varsity team as a junior. 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. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. Aria Jones, Breaking news reporter. We just have to lay low, she said. Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. 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 thought, Wow, that didnt work. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. 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. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. People know each other. What did you expect him to say? I wanted to protect 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. He mentions a senior. 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's something he and the district have denied. Hes not even playing football this year. ABSENCES. 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. 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 story said one boy admitted to using them. When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. James Whitfield, principal of. 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. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. The one who could name Bryan. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. Example video title will go here for this video. 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 . 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.". This one held something. Hes not happy that Im still talking to the media. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. Read more about CRT here. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. One of those parents complained about the photo and the district ordered Whitfield to take it down. 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. Can you hide it?' She checked the time. She was still at her sales conference. We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. For Lori Lewis is, if not a pariah in Colleyville, a shamed woman in the eyes of many who believe her campaign has unfairly smeared its high school, coach, and football program. 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. 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The median household income tops $150,000. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. "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. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org No real names, anyway. How many varsity football players got calls for drug deals in their SAT prep class this year? 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. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. 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. The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. His decision. It was the right thing to do. She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. 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 The school district announced Monday,. When he decided not to play (and when he noticed acne on his back during the family vacation in Florida), he stopped. This story has been shared 117,245 times. She was sad that shed been proven right. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. Oh, yeah, some of them are still doing it, Bryan says. "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. 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. 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. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. 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. Lewis is suing because Cunningham told the Morning News she was a liar and a crazy mom. Its a stupid lawsuit. Never missed one, she says proudly. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Faking it wasnt easy. Lets go, then, he said. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. Buy tickets online here. A wave of nausea swept through her. "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?' The answer, anabolic steroids, provided a bit of relief. The vial had been photographed on Bryans glass dining room table, and the students were examining the fuzzy reflections in the glass to figure out whose house it was. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. He marched into his mothers room and paced in front of her. According to their story, Cunningham went on a 15-minute rant and blamed the then-unidentified mother for creating this problem. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM Dallas, Texas 75201. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. 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. 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. 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. / CBS Texas, UPDATE: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Releases New Statement On Decision To Put Principal James Whitfield On Paid Administrative Leave. People leave me alone. 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. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. Whitfield, who was named principal of Colleyville Heritage High School ahead of the 2020-21 school year, has been accused online and in board meetings of teaching critical race theory and promoting a belief that white people are inherently racist. HERE IS PART OF ABC CHANNEL 8 SPORTS director Dale Hansens on-air editorial from April 19, the day Lewis filed a lawsuit against Coach Chris Cunningham for slander, asking for $1.5 million in damages. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. He wrote that he cant ask others to speak up if he wont, and that being a school administrator does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself.. He rolled it down. He sounded drunk. Who is available? EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. Feb. 5, 2005. Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. 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. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Cunningham wants to know, Why now? Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. Theres SO much, but I am beyond humbled by the kindness, support, love, & encouragement being shown to me and my family, he said in a tweet. The school district announced Monday, August 30, Colleyville Heritage High Principal Dr. James Whitfield was placed on paid administrative leave. We've received your submission. NO NAMES. Ive only chosen to speak out against baseless allegations after [the district] allowed a man to speak my name at the July 26 board meeting, he said. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. Focusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. 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. Thats your investigation? But other than that, its great. 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. THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. She knew it would have to be this way. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. How did you feel? 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. 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.. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. 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. I cant run from this. Scholars developed it during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to do with critical race theory or allegations by a small group of parents. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. If a student must be absent from school a parent should call or email the school Attendance Office, the day of the absence, to report the student's name and the reason. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. 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. One day in the lunchroom, Bryan walked up to a group of students gathered around a table. 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. On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. His resignation won't be official. Colleyville is a Yuppie burb, sure, with a median home price of $335,000, but it is affluence packed on top of a former tiny farming community, a fine cloth draped over an old couch. Aria writes about breaking news. Kids need us! the principal added. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. There were also names. THOSE WERE THE GROUND RULES, never in question, always understood. 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. That kid will know who Patrick is. 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. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. 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.