She hurried downstairs and called the pharmacy at the nearby Walgreens. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. Bryan knew who it was. Lewis jumped in her car and raced the two miles to CHHS. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. at 7pm. It wont change anything. 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. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer Not one single day.. 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. 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.". When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. It was supposed to be a celebration for Whitfield, who had just been named principal of Colleyville Heritage Middle School two years ago, and his family. She asked the druggist to decipher the label for her. Lesli Ware. 972-983-4822 cell. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. Focusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. 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. He agreed not to name the family members. Hes not happy that Im still talking to the media. 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. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. 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. Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: Lt. Gov. (Cunningham says that at the time of the remarks, he didnt know Lewis identity, and he has since apologized.) 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. 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. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) Hes not even playing football this year. They had to get everything ready for when they return after the summer, when Bryan plans to go out for the varsity team. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. Beal said she was not cooperating. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. They had pieced together a clear picture of a serious problem. [3] 817-305-4717. Lets go, then, he said. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. 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.. School would be out soon. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. He's a happily married man. Dude, I think thats your mom.. He received a disciplinary letter from the district a few weeks later and was placed on administrative leave soon after that. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. Arent they illegal now? "We don't make rules unless we're asked by our member schools.". Whitfield is now speaking out about the incident and responding to what he claims are bigoted and racist attacks, including accusations that he is a proponent of critical race theory. But I didnt want any of this for Bryan, Lewis says. ", "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. I cant run from this. We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. She is suing the coach and the school district for $1.5 million because Cunningham said Lewis was a liar and crazy in an interview with the News. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. They needed more information. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. By midweek, Bryan couldnt take the whispers and the barely contained seething of the football players. Can you believe those boys using steroids? one asked. But the moms wouldnt tell the other moms about it, because they want their kid to have an edge. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. 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. Dallas, Texas 75201. And the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has adopted an aggressive drug-testing policy, due largely to the hot media glare Lewis helped focus on the school and its tepid (in her view) initial response to her charges. She was still at her sales conference. Police did not identify either individual. THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. So I wouldnt feel comfortable mowing your lawn.. But if were really concerned about reputations here, whose reputation has been damaged more? He pulled forward into a parking space and waited on his friends, hoping everyone else would ignore him. Hes just got to get a little faster, a little bigger, a little stronger. ), & 6 (Mon.) Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. He knows its just because she loves him, but, damn, so many other kids get away with telling white lies, staying out late. No, it didnt. One of the students was detained on a charge of having a weapon in a place where its prohibited, police said. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears," he said. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. I just want to know, Why? An anonymous parent called the high school and said football players were using steroids, which are illegal to use or possess in Texas without a prescription, and that the school's football coach condoned it. "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?' COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. 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. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. He hung up. How did you feel? Weve always been close, but since this, its been tough. No, she said. Here is a look at the Top 3 girls teams in Class 5A. Bryan had to lie, even to friends who sidled up to him in private and asked if he was the one. 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. 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. ABSENCES. Its a stupid lawsuit. It was, 'Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict. Hes a good kid. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. 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. Can you take this picture down? The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. How many varsity football players got calls for drug deals in their SAT prep class this year? On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. "They're here to show their voice. 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. 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. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. 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. For nearly 10 years, she wrote restaurant reviews for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and her work has appeared in 360 West, Eater Dallas, Edible DFW, A+C magazine, D CEO, GlobeSt.com and Houstonia magazine. His resignation won't be official. Youget home! she told him. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. Thats it? We have established procedures for that which we are following.". Grapevine-Colleyville sources have said that the district does not teach CRT, a doctrine that pushes the notion that racism underpins Americas history, laws and institutions, according to the Dallas Morning News. Faking it wasnt easy. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. There were four teenagers inside, two in the front seat, two in back. I know he is. 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. 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. A new study says yes. The school is a part of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and serves freshmen through senior students in Colleyville and the surrounding areas of Tarrant County. GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. It was all there. reflections@chhsptsa.org. 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. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. To the kids, it wasnt just about making coaches happy. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. Who is available? The student came forward only after his mother discovered a bag full of syringes and vials of liquids in his bedroom closet. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". The only other known instance in which a group of high school athletes admitted to steroid use was in Buckeye, Ariz., in fall 2003, according to the Associated Press. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. 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. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. Well, I had an interesting day, he told his mother by phone that night. She said it to calm her son. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. 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. They had a problem and needed to know about it, for the kids safety. She wants a million-five. Oh, yeah, some of them are still doing it, Bryan says. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. But other than that, its great. 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. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. Normally, the school dismisses at 4 p.m., a district spokesman said, but around 5:15 p.m. the district tweeted that it was doing a controlled dismissal of all students.. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. 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. 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. Colleyville is a majority-white city with only 1% of residents identifying as Black or African American, according to census data. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. It was time to do something about her own reputationand those of future whistle-blowers. Theyre open late, they have cheap food, and theyre close by. "They said, 'Could you take it down? I knew it as soon as I finished the story. Bryan may be able to help, but dont contact him at school. She worried he would be labeled a snitch if it became a public ordeal. Read more about CRT here. Thank you for spreading love! Im gonna beat your ass.. Football players were calling him Patrick. Conversations stopped when he arrived. I wish I had the conviction to say, No, Im not going to take it down thats a picture of me and my wife kissing on the beach. The coaches had told him to get bigger and stronger if he wanted to earn a starting position, he said. Anna Caplan covers McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Dangit, you got me!? 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. 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 . Oh, no. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. Theres no reason for me to take this photo down,' he told KXAS. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. NO NAMES. A wave of nausea swept through her. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Like Our Page on Facebook Follow us on Twitter 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. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. Can you hide it?' 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. The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. 535. Bryan understands, she says. As Lewis recalls, Beal said, Ive talked to Coach Cunningham, and he says its not true. He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. 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. 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. With some of her neighbors not talking to her, she decided to take the next step. Thats how competitive it is.. 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. He sounded drunk. Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. 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. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. I dont think that was crazy.. 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.. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. 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 a Sept. 1 written statement the district said: "The District has received numerous questions regarding the decision to place Dr. James Whitfield on paid administrative leave. Hes on his third cycle.. Only one. Greg Abbott has called for it to be abolished in Texas schools. 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. Thinks he will. Let your love shine so brightly & your positive voice be so loud that it drowns out the noise. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. The answer, anabolic steroids, provided a bit of relief. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. 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 She expected to hear from him in a week or so. 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. Ive counted. 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. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. And during the second special session, lawmakers successfully passed Senate Bill 3, a more restrictive version of the House bill that will replace HB 3979 on Dec. 2. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. 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. No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. 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. Lewis hung up. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! She has begun to work with Don Hooton, the Plano father whose 17-year-old son committed suicide in July 2003 because of his steroids-induced depression, to raise steroid awareness and stiffen national testing laws. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. In June, Lewis scheduled to have her lawn mowed by a Mid Cities fireman who runs a small lawn-care company. 8:06 PM on Aug 30, 2021 CDT Updated at 1:21 PM on Sep 1, 2021 CDT. They are: 1. 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