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I think its silly, I cant see why a husband and wife cant have a picture of them in a sweet moment, she said. The schools denial. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. 12. 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. 817-305-4717. Later, they showed Bryan the list. 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. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. Suite 2100 Buy tickets online here. 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. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. I just want to know, Why? Join us today so we can achieve that goal! Sitting in her living room, Lewis moans slightly and puts her head down when her son explains what his life is like now: I just want this to be over, Bryan, 17, says. 972-983-4822 cell. The median household income tops $150,000. 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. 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. "The vast majority of people in that community, they know who I am. It ate at her. When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) Well, I had an interesting day, he told his mother by phone that night. There were several long pauses, she says. At that moment, it didnt seem like an earth-shattering admission. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. [3] Colleyville Heritage High School. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. But the students at CHHS had obviously read the story. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. 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. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. Live. 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. ", "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. They know.. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. Aria writes about breaking news. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. at 7pm. 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. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. ABSENCES. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. Feb. 5, 2005. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. 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. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. Dan Patrick has called it a ridiculous leftist narrative. Gov. 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. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. 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. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. 5401 Heritage Ave, Colleyville, Texas | (817) 305-4700. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. 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. The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. 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! She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. No one could see her talking to school officials. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Among other things, SB 3 bans schools from making political activism part of a course and says teachers may not be compelled to talk about a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.. Summarizing his defense, he finally blurted, Mom, the majority of the football team is taking them.. 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. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. 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. 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.. THOSE WERE THE GROUND RULES, never in question, always understood. But they would not be more specific. A new study says yes. They were extremely polite but thorough. That kid will know who Patrick is. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. 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. 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. 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. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. Focusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. Skater punks, Bryan would call them. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. Lesli Ware. The students created a fake wall with the. The decision. 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. She laughs about it more than she complains. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. Lt. Gov. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. 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. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. 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. 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.. Get out of the car, Dyer, he said. 750 North St.Paul St. Whitfield's wife Kerrie said she took the photo to mean a black man with a tattoo on his arm was inappropriate. I just want to get on with my life. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. 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. 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. The school district announced Monday,. Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. In early August, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD placed Whitfield on administrative leave. THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. No big deal, Bryan thought. 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. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. Youget home! she told him. 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 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. GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. 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. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. People know each other. 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. It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville . 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. But other than that, its great. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . 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. 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. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. 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. "The only mention we make is a warning on health effects on our Web site," she said. Like most teens, he acts blas, even when talking about how much he cant wait for college so I can get away from this town, all the crap thats gone on., Not that hes obsessing about it, either, he says. Who is available? 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. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. 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. Beal said she was not cooperating. When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. But no names were used. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, 18-year-old man, student face charges after gun found in car at Colleyville Heritage High School, What we know after 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defers comment on revival of sexual harassment lawsuit. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. 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. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. 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. Mom, they already know. He mentions a senior. She went to sleep thinking it was the right thing to do. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. 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. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. Love will! They asked Bryan to relive every detail. His decision. 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. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. "They said, 'Could you take it down? She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. No one from the school called her. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. Her discovery. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. Police did not identify either individual. SOUTHLAKE, Texas - Carroll ISD is punishing some students for an offensive video that shows a group of teens chanting the n-word. I guess they dont care.. 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. 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. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. Under mounting pressure from district officials, local and national media, and law enforcement, a total of nine other CHHS athletes confessed to use of steroids and other PEDs. Hes just got to get a little faster, a little bigger, a little stronger. "If they do proceed with firing him, I hope the administration knows that these people aren't going anywhere," fellow student Sunehra Chowdhury said of the students who walked out of class. He will step down as principal at Colleyville Heritage High School and remain on paid leave until 2023. first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. That they are able to hear and see the students. Note! Website. 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 Admitted it months earlier, not long after the journalists had interviewed Coach Cunningham. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. 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. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. They even went to football games, sat in the stands, and made a list of the players who looked like they might be using steroids, based on the common signs: acne, muscular definition, rage. / CBS Texas, UPDATE: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Releases New Statement On Decision To Put Principal James Whitfield On Paid Administrative Leave. 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. Chuck Schumer aims for weekend vote on bipartisan $1T infr Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, Tom Sandoval speaks out on Raquel Leviss affair: I deserve your anger, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Chris Rock Places All The Blame On The Will Smith Slap On Jada Pinkett Smith And Red Table Talk: Everybody Called Him A Bitch!, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval have awkward moment amid cheating scandal. Proponents also believe race is culturally invented, not biological. 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? He's a happily married man. "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. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! I knew it as soon as I finished the story. 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. But the reporters needed something else. She was the founding editor of the websites PureWow Dallas and Racked Dallas. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. He loves his new school. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. 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. 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. This story has been shared 117,245 times. 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. His friend stopped him.