colleyville heritage high school scandal

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. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. 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. James Whitfield, principal of. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. In his post Saturday, Whitfield explained that the photos were taken a decade ago during their 10-year anniversary in Mexico. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. Told that, McClure said she was certain the information had been passed on to the Colleyville department. Colleyville Heritage principal responds to 'racism and bigotry' | Fort Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. To the kids, it wasnt just about making coaches happy. 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Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. 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.". The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. 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. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. CHHS PTSA - Facebook The answer, anabolic steroids, provided a bit of relief. at 7pm. But they would not be more specific. 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 . 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. They know.. Im going to fight him.. 6 /10. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! She laughs about it more than she complains. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. Im used to it.. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. (Cunningham says that at the time of the remarks, he didnt know Lewis identity, and he has since apologized.) She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. Dallas, Texas 75201. Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. 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. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: SOUTHLAKE, Texas - Carroll ISD is punishing some students for an offensive video that shows a group of teens chanting the n-word. And it has nearly ruined their lives. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". 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. Not their real names, of course. 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. 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. Oh, that. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. Skater punks, Bryan would call them. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. He sounded drunk. When he decided not to play (and when he noticed acne on his back during the family vacation in Florida), he stopped. Who is available? It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. That they will no longer give into that culture of forcing to assimilate and being ashamed of their identity," said student Sunehra Cowdhury. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. He rolled it down. She couldnt even get her grass cut? An 18-year-old man and a juvenile student are facing criminal charges after a handgun was found inside a student's car at Colleyville Heritage High School on Tuesday. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. Its a stupid lawsuit. Home - Colleyville Heritage High School He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. They were extremely polite but thorough. Mom, Im going over there. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. "We don't know what report they're talking about," she said. Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. Mother and son had always been close, though. 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. 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. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. But he said trouble began as far back as 2019 when someone complained to administrators he was setting a "bad example" by posting pictures of himself kissing his wife on Facebook. He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. Lets go, then, he said. , Lori Lewis says the comments by Coach Cunningham slandered her and her reputation has been damaged. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. Texas high school principal and district agree to part ways after he Officers were called around . Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville TX - SchoolDigger 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 . Is Whataburger healthy? We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. Lewis decided that she had an obligation to inform the school. by Brian Lopez Students held walkout in support of Colleyville Heritage HS principal Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Trustees Vote to Move Forward With Process of 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. It wont change anything. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this Anna Caplan covers McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville. Black principal told to remove Facebook photo with white wife Oh, yeah, some of them are still doing it, Bryan says. 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 . He sold her the needles.. and I asked, 'Why? No big deal, Bryan thought. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. No real names, anyway. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. 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Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. Texas High School Principal Sees Racism in Calls to Remove Intimate Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District - Wikipedia GPA/Ranking - Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School - SharpSchool On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. It was all there. Example video title will go here for this video. Aug. 31The Colleyville Heritage High School principal who was put on paid administrative leave after he was placed at the center of a critical race theory debate said he has been given no . 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.". 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. 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. Just over a month later, the district has suspended Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield without explanation, he told The Washington Post on Tuesday. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. Police did not identify either individual. Texas teens defend Colleyville principal James Whitfield on critical A wave of nausea swept through her. There were several long pauses, she says. 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. James Whitfield, principal of Colleyville Heritage High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was placed on paid administrative leave in late August, a month after a former school board candidate . Nearly a year later, she still believes this. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. Former principal files defamation lawsuit against Grapevine-Colleyville Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics, And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.Thomas Hobbes (15791688), Bret Boone - Professional Career - Legacy -. He's a happily married man. Bryan knew who it was. 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. Colleyville players admit to briefly using steroids, Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. She knew it would have to be this way. CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. Never missed one, she says proudly. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. Colleyville Heritage became the focus of a district investigation during the 2004-2005 school year after a Panther football/baseball player and his mother confronted school administrators and GCISD about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. 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? But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. "They said, 'Could you take it down? Hes a happily married man. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . Not Lewis. Lewis didnt want to confront Bryan in front of his friends. We hid the photo, no one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. It was, 'Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict. They had pieced together a clear picture of a serious problem. 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. But other than that, its great. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. 817-305-4717. But no names were used. The e-mails from parents who say they are too scared to be named publicly but who thank her for shaking up the CHHS administration and mighty football program. 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. This story has been shared 117,245 times. 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. Only one. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. The school district told KXAS in a statement: When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Buy tickets online here. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. 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. School would be out soon. Theyre mad at my mom because shes messing with that.. One of those parents complained. LIVE: Colleyville Heritage vs. Grapevine | 2023 High School Soccer 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. I dont think that was crazy.. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. We just have to lay low, she said. 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. "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. 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. How did you feel? The photos were from an anniversary trip. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. Hes just got to get a little faster, a little bigger, a little stronger. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. 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. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. As part of a settlement between Whitfield and the district, he will remain on paid administrative leave until then. 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. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. Cunningham wants to know, Why now? Can you hide it?' 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.. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. James Whitfield at his home in Hurst on Sept. 16. 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.". 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. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. Feb. 5, 2005. Summarizing his defense, he finally blurted, Mom, the majority of the football team is taking them.. Whatever. 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. One of those parents complained about the photo and the district ordered Whitfield to take it down. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. Dangit, you got me!? "I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM From the moment I called the school, I didnt want him involved. 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. Attendance Office - Colleyville Heritage High School Dozens Of Colleyville Heritage High Students Rally In Support Of Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. He hung up. Attendance Clerk. Can you take this picture down? 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. 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. 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. Colleyville Heritage High On Lockdown After Gun Reported In - MSN She says she never used the word condone, and her demeanor in all those phone calls was completely appropriate. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. Now, GOP lawmakers have turned their attention to what books children have access to in schools. 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. (Everyone already knew, she says.) Lesli Ware. Beal said she was not cooperating. 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. But the students at CHHS had obviously read the story. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. 972-983-4822 cell. I just want to know, Why? Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. 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. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? The Grapevine . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Nor was the decision made in response to allegations Dr. Whitfield was teaching Critical Race Theory, or because of the photos on his social media account that were brought to the attention of the District in 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. A new study says yes. The reporters worked other sources. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? Calendar - Colleyville Heritage High School Hey, you little pussy, he said. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. The one who could name Bryan. Get out of the car, Dyer, he said. "They're here to show their voice. 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. The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting.