5401 Heritage Ave. Colleyville, TX 76034-5919. Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. 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. But the reporters needed something else. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD may decide his fate by Monday. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism and public relations. He loves his new school. 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. His friend stopped him. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. Arent they illegal now? But other than that, its great. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. 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.". 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.. No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. We remain committed to providing a learning environment at Colleyville Heritage that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement," Grapevine-Colleyville ISD said in a news release. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. Her discovery. 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. Aria writes about breaking news. Bryan never had to wonder whether his mom was engaged, as Dr. Phil likes to say. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. 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. Can you take this picture down? Critical race theory, or CRT, is an academic discipline usually taught at the university level. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. Admitted it months earlier, not long after the journalists had interviewed Coach Cunningham. Its even tough to find a yardman in town. 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. The coach, Chris Cunningham, denied the accusations in reports published at the time and said he was adamantly against steroids. Lesli Ware. 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. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. Lewis was stunned. Bryan had to lie, even to friends who sidled up to him in private and asked if he was the one. How long did you do it? Wed have to move if our names came out, she said.. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. 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 wants a million-five. The paper sent a photographer, who took a picture of the vial of steroids, commonly known as Deca. And the story ran on the front page of the Courier on October 1, under a three-column headline that read: Steroid Use Suspected in Some Area Schools., The impact on the administration was less than shed hoped. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. 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. ", "Anything that has to do with being inclusive, having a safe and nurturing environment for all students, they want to attach that to CRT, because it's the boogeyman buzzword of the day," added Whitfield. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. Nine CHHS players have admitted to using steroids. 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. 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 . She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". 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.. Lewis begged him to calm down. She opened it wide and turned it to the light. One of those parents complained about the photo and the district ordered Whitfield to take it down. Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. There were also names. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. 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. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. Anybody really believe that? 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. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. 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. Hes not even playing football this year. I dont think that was crazy.. A wave of nausea swept through her. Some in the district have accused him of implementing critical race theory in the classroom. She said it to calm her son. 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 . 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. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. There were several long pauses, she says. That they are able to hear and see the students. We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. 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. Thats your investigation? That evening, she obsessed about its implication. , Chris Cunningham says hes trying to do something about the problem so it doesnt happen again. The schools denial. With some of her neighbors not talking to her, she decided to take the next step. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. CNN A high school principal in North Texas who was placed on leave after being publicly accused of promoting critical race theory has agreed to leave his role. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville ISD officials. That kid will know who Patrick is. No, it didnt. Live. 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. 817-305-4717. I think its silly, I cant see why a husband and wife cant have a picture of them in a sweet moment, she said. Why would he use steroids? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. This one held something. Colleyville Heritage High School is a top rated, public school located in COLLEYVILLE, TX. reflections@chhsptsa.org. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. 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. All rights reserved, Highlighter: North Texas Students Help NASA Scientists, Educational Trailers Stolen After Presentations at Dallas Schools, Novak Djokovic Denied' US Entry Ahead Of Indian Wells, Joe Biden Asked To Intervene, Counseling Services Offered After Three Children Killed, Two Hurt In Ellis County, Check Your Change! Thats what everybody should be doing. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. "We don't make rules unless we're asked by our member schools.". One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". It was a football player. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this 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. I wonder who it was.. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. Phone calls can only be accepted the day of the absence. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. I guess they dont care.. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Then, two weeks later, Bryan left a movie theater on a weekend night. They werent too happy with me, she says. That they will no longer give into that culture of forcing to assimilate and being ashamed of their identity," said student Sunehra Cowdhury. Minutes later, her son, Bryan Dyer (Lewis remarried in 1993), walked out of the school with a friend and headed toward his truck. Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. Lewis didnt want to confront Bryan in front of his friends. 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. McClure said no school officials have been implicated in the matter. He has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. Ive moved on. Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. But as Lewis read it, she found something horrible. 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. 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 the middle school. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. One of those parents complained. That was months ago. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Dozens of students and parents rallied outside Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's school board meeting Monday night, August 23, to show support for Colleyville. Hes a happily married man. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the past school year (although $44.1 million of that went to Robin Hood payments). He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. What did you expect him to say? 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. 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. Dave Denning, a former Grapevine High School principal, will serve as interim leader of the campus, Ryan said. Three of his best friends have transferred to it in the past few years, so he has his core group of buddies together. A black high school principal in Texas said he was told by a district official to remove an anniversary photo from Facebook of himself kissing his white wife so as not to stir up stuff amid complaints from parents, according to reports. I know he is. 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. 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. School would be out soon. Buy tickets online here. 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. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. But Colleyville police Detective Hillary Wreay said her department has received no information from the school on the alleged sale or distribution of steroids and has no investigation in progress. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. (Even though, technically, its in Euless.) 12. Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. The one who could name Bryan. The reporters worked other sources. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 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. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Woman in viral pizza rant now facing ethnic harassment charges, Murdaugh Judge Clifton Newman: From segregated schools to the best we want in our jurists, NYC DOE probing anti-white texts linked to black superintendent, Black children attack, force white kids to say Black Lives Matter at Ohio school: video. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! THOSE WERE THE GROUND RULES, never in question, always understood. He wrote on Facebook that he could not ask others to speak up if he wont and just because I am a school administrator that does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself.. The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. The agreement seemingly puts an end to Whitfields arduous battle with the school district that date backs to July 26, when he was first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting by Stetson Clark, a former candidate for the district's school board. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. [3] In June, Lewis scheduled to have her lawn mowed by a Mid Cities fireman who runs a small lawn-care company. Colleyville Heritage High School. "We don't know what report they're talking about," she said. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. Maybe he wont tell anyone.Then she read paragraph 33, which detailed Patricks efforts to have a woman buy his needles so he wouldnt arouse suspicion: The cheerleader went to a nearby Kroger supermarket. Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. Hes on his third cycle.. He sounded drunk. Overall Score 89.05 /100. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Houston Rockets poised to reap benefits from Eric Gordon trade, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, Why Johnson City in Texas Hill Country is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. 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 no names were used. She said that many other football players were using them, and her son told her that, because many players knew about it, the coaches either knew and didnt care or didnt want to know so they didnt ask how players had made sudden increases in strength and size. Update: Revised at 9 p.m. with more information. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. The decision. I'm ready to turn that next page, Whitfield told The Texas Tribune on Wednesday. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. Whether the district acted over concerns from parents over racial issues or the way the couple was posed, Roppollo said there was no reason to censor the principal. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago.
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