colleyville heritage high school scandal23 Apr colleyville heritage high school scandal
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. 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. All she does is shake her head and say, The parents in this town Shes already seen how it has enveloped Bryan. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. "We don't make rules unless we're asked by our member schools.". Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. She knew it would have to be this way. 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. Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. There were also names. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. Cunningham wants to know, Why now? I just want to know, Why? Admitted it months earlier, not long after the journalists had interviewed Coach Cunningham. 535. 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. "The only mention we make is a warning on health effects on our Web site," she said. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. 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. The students created a fake wall with the. 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. They said, Could you take it down? The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. 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. 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. . Who is available? It had absolutely nothing to do with race. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. 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. 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. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. Ive counted. She said it to calm her son. When he decided not to play (and when he noticed acne on his back during the family vacation in Florida), he stopped. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. With some of her neighbors not talking to her, she decided to take the next step. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. 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! He received a disciplinary letter from the district a few weeks later and was placed on administrative leave soon after that. Hed been playing sports in Colleyville since tee ball at age 4, and through select baseball and Pee Wee football, all the way through this, his junior year, shed attended every game. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. Skater punks, Bryan would call them. She was still at her sales conference. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. The story said one boy admitted to using them. Later, they showed Bryan the list. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. 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. 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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 Buy tickets online here. Then, two weeks later, Bryan left a movie theater on a weekend night. She tries to focus on the things shes helped accomplish. The median household income tops $150,000. It didnt take long for more questions to come. Attendance Clerk. People leave me alone. Can you take this picture down? The photos were from an anniversary trip. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org Can you hide it?' While the move may have been about personnel, Whitfield said it feels personal. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. by Brian Lopez Colleyville Heritage High School is the 235th largest public high school in Texas and the 1,266th largest nationally. 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. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. Beal said she was not cooperating. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. We just have to lay low, she said. Mother and son had always been close, though. Only one. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. THOSE WERE THE GROUND RULES, never in question, always understood. It read nandrolone decanoate.. How long did you do it? Wednesday and Thursday shows are cancelled due to inclement weather. He has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. 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? How did you feel? 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . 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. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Update: Revised at 9 p.m. with more information. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. 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. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE. And it has nearly ruined their lives. Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. "The vast majority of people in that community, they know who I am. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. 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. Not their real names, of course. 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. There were four teenagers inside, two in the front seat, two in back. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) That kid will know who Patrick is. By midweek, Bryan couldnt take the whispers and the barely contained seething of the football players. The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting. [3] The high school has about 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades. No real names, anyway. Besides, she said. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. Whitfield's wife Kerrie said she took the photo to mean a black man with a tattoo on his arm was inappropriate. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. In May 2018, Dr. Ryan was named the 2018 Region XI Superintendent of the Year. His friend stopped him. 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.. 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 . Officers were called around . 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 is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism and public relations. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. 12. Students at Colleyville Heritage High took the theme and ran with it in a Donald Trump-esqe direction before a game against Trinity High in Euless. No big deal, Bryan thought. 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. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. The decision. Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. Three of his best friends have transferred to it in the past few years, so he has his core group of buddies together. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. Who knew? When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. 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. Anybody really believe that? 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. She laughs about it more than she complains. Some parents learned about the photo incident when they read Whitfields account on Facebook. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. Lewis is suing because Cunningham told the Morning News she was a liar and a crazy mom. He hung up. 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.. 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. I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. 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. 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. 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. Whitfield added that he has no regrets over what has transpired over the last couple of months, hes happy that he stood up for what he believed in and he hopes thats what people can learn from his situation. Hes not even playing football this year. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. 562. Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. Mom, Im going over there. I dont think that was crazy.. This one held something. 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. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. The school district announced Monday,. All four got out of the car. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Sort of. Its a stupid lawsuit. 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. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. They are: 1. But if were really concerned about reputations here, whose reputation has been damaged more? 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. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. One of the students was detained on a charge of having a weapon in a place where its prohibited, police said. But they would not be more specific. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. He agreed not to name the family members. They know.. 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.. 817-305-4717. This story has been shared 117,245 times. But on Friday morning, students marched out of school to protest his treatment by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD administration, and to demand that their beloved principal be brought back to the campus. The 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. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. 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. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. She opened it wide and turned it to the light. Some in the district have accused him of implementing critical race theory in the classroom. 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. 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. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. Live. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the. COLLEYVILLE The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Tarrant County on Tuesday requested a meeting with the civil rights office of the U.S. Department of Education to discuss the ongoing. It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. To the kids, it wasnt just about making coaches happy. 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. Ive moved on. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. Arent they illegal now? CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. He wants to play wide receiver. Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. They had pieced together a clear picture of a serious problem. ABSENCES. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. Oh, no. 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. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. We hid the photo, no one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways. School would be out soon. Submission Deadline: 11/4/22. That evening, she obsessed about its implication. "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?' Whitfield wrote that the allegations were connected to a 2019 presentation he took part in as middle school principal on Breaking the Barriers that addressed peoples differences. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Website. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. Cunningham has apologized and said it was wrong to say the things he did, but I think anybody would have reacted the same way. No, it didnt. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. 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. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. She couldnt even get her grass cut? On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . 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 . 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. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. She wants a million-five. , Lori Lewis says the comments by Coach Cunningham slandered her and her reputation has been damaged. In two sentences, theyd given Bryan away., Patrick arranged the [steroids purchase] with a couple of phone calls, paying $200 to a varsity football player. Thats how competitive it is.. Lt. Gov. Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. The Grapevine . But no names were used. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. As a new campus principal, we wanted to provide a smooth transition for Dr. Whitfield to Heritage Middle School, which is why we advised him of the concern and made a request for the photos to be taken down from Facebook, it added. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. 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. 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. Lewis begged him to calm down. At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. Lewis hung up. Cooper vs. Colleyville Heritage - Texas High School Girls Basketball mr buva 0 No views 52 seconds ago #highschoolbasketball Stream Here https://gametoday.hs-sport.live/highs. The school district announced Monday, August 30, Colleyville Heritage High Principal Dr. James Whitfield was placed on paid administrative leave. Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? 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. Bryan understands, she says. Wed have to move if our names came out, she said.. 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. Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. He hopes he starts, he says. The school and district officials dismissed the mother's claims, and the school's head football coach went as far calling her a "liar" in a Dallas Morning News interview. Theyre open late, they have cheap food, and theyre close by. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. Had it come to that? Not Bryans. What did you expect him to say? In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. Is Whataburger healthy? Aria writes about breaking news. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". The man, Stetson Clark, narrowly lost a school board race in May to the incumbent, Becky St. John. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. I wonder who it was.. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Faking it wasnt easy. One day in the lunchroom, Bryan walked up to a group of students gathered around a table. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. 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. Oh, that. Its bad enough they identified her as a cheerleader. 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. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. Bryan never had to wonder whether his mom was engaged, as Dr. Phil likes to say. A few days later, he dialed the players cell phone to arrange delivery, reaching him in an SAT preparation class.. 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. 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. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. Colleyville Heritage High School. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. Can you believe those boys using steroids? one asked. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. The high school has been categorized as one of the top 100 high schools in the United States of America by the Newsweek magazine's Challenge Index. Colleyville Heritage 31 Arlington Heights 41 Final Box Score All Contest Videos Oct 15, 2022 @ 2:59am Texas: Defensive Touchdowns from Weekend of Oct 7th, 2022 Watch this highlight video More Videos Oct 14, 2022 @ 5:54pm Contribute to the Team Complete the Schedule Add missing games to the schedule Complete the Roster They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. 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.
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