Never missed one, she says proudly. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. "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. James Whitfield, principal of. Who is available? Bryan knew who it was. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. A new study says yes. 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Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. 562. He pulled forward into a parking space and waited on his friends, hoping everyone else would ignore him. I knew what I was getting into. In fact, she knows that by filing a slander suit against the schools football coach, Chris Cunningham, she has only invited more recrimination. She couldnt even get her grass cut? Good Lord, Lewis thought. Thank you for spreading love! Can you take this picture down? Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. 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. 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. Its bad enough they identified her as a cheerleader. Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. Kids need us! the principal added. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. It was a football player. They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. Clark said Whitfield was encouraging the disruption and destruction of our district because Whitfield, the high school's first Black principal, wrote a letter to the community during the summer of 2020 detailing how hurt he was over the deaths of three Black Americans: George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. There were several long pauses, she says. How long did you do it? That evening, she obsessed about its implication. 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. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. Aria writes about breaking news. 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. 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. This year Colleyville Heritage High School found only 19 girls out of a school of 2,400 students good enough for their cheerleading squad. Its he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family, Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High, told KXAS, adding that there was no reason to censor him.I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. I just want to get on with my life. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. Bryan understands, she says. He came at him againObviously, Bryan says, this kid did not know how to fightand this time Bryans punch knocked him to the ground. (Cunningham says that at the time of the remarks, he didnt know Lewis identity, and he has since apologized.) "If they do proceed with firing him, I hope the administration knows that these people aren't going anywhere," fellow student Sunehra Chowdhury said of the students who walked out of class. Now, GOP lawmakers have turned their attention to what books children have access to in schools. Her discovery. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. I think its sweet. "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. Contact info. Hey, you little pussy, he said. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Ive moved on. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. 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. 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. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism and public relations. It was too quiet, she says. 12. Also in the post, the principal referred to an incident in which a school administrator asked Whitfield to remove a photo of him and his wife, who is white, from his Facebook page. Hes a good kid. 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. Oh, that. by Brian Lopez In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. Colleyville Heritage High School is the 235th largest public high school in Texas and the 1,266th largest nationally. Ive told you everything I know. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. Cunningham says one of the reasons he reacted the way he did, he was told that she was screaming at school officials and accusing him of condoning the steroid use. ON FEBRUARY 12, A SATURDAY, LEWIS WALKED into a salon to have her hair done. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. She was still at her sales conference. But they would not be more specific. Told that, McClure said she was certain the information had been passed on to the Colleyville department. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. Had it come to that? (Everyone already knew, she says.) As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Too many of them are, but this one certainly is. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. For Lori Lewis is, if not a pariah in Colleyville, a shamed woman in the eyes of many who believe her campaign has unfairly smeared its high school, coach, and football program. They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. Im gonna beat your ass.. 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 Its why she doesnt let me talk to, or even see, her husband and younger daughter. But other than that, its great. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. 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. He hopes he starts, he says. He marched into his mothers room and paced in front of her. 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. That was months ago. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Bryan never had to wonder whether his mom was engaged, as Dr. Phil likes to say. 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 -. 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. Thats your investigation? Critical race theory, or CRT, is an academic discipline usually taught at the university level. Gregg Jones and Gary Jacobson sat at Lewis kitchen table, in her upper-middle-class, redbrick home, on a quiet street in Colleyville, and grilled the mother and son for hours, during several interview sessions. 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. This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Proposed Texas bill gives tax cuts to heterosexual families only, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards. 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.". MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Houston is ugly, and I've never felt more at home, Texas A&M upset win clears path for UH to snag top overall seed, This is what Houston looks like from space, Oops! Lesli Ware. 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. Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. 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. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". 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. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. Bryan had to lie, even to friends who sidled up to him in private and asked if he was the one. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. 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. I wanted to protect him. 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. Mom, Im going over there. Aria Jones, Breaking news reporter. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. It read nandrolone decanoate.. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. The driver came after him. They know.. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. This one held something. It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. Cunningham wants to know, Why now? He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. Theyd made a mistake, she says. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. 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). 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. Im used to it.. . He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. I just wish everyone else would.. How did you get the syringes? "That show of love and support is a signal for me that in some form or fashion, I've made an impact in their lives and that's what I'm here to do," said Whitfield. 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. The decision to place Dr. Whitfield on administrative leave was not a result of statements made by members of the public, including those who spoke at recent meetings of the GCISD Board of Trustees. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. 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. 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. He says that many of the football players at Colleyville were introduced to steroids by someone from a nearby rival. They had pieced together a clear picture of a serious problem. That Friday after the story had come out, near midnight, Bryan got a call on his cell phone. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. As Lewis recalls, Beal said, Ive talked to Coach Cunningham, and he says its not true. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. School would be out soon. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. By midweek, Bryan couldnt take the whispers and the barely contained seething of the football players. Lewis didnt want to confront Bryan in front of his friends. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. 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. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. 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. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. He just wants to enjoy his senior year, and I want to do everything I can to help him., But, she says, she believes she has a mission. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. Only one. His friend stopped him. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. Why would he use steroids? When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. SOUTHLAKE, Texas - Carroll ISD is punishing some students for an offensive video that shows a group of teens chanting the n-word. Dallas, Texas 75201. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. She tries to focus on the things shes helped accomplish. Over time, Bryan began to trust them and open up. Let your love shine so brightly & your positive voice be so loud that it drowns out the noise. He has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. "I wish I had the conviction to say, 'No, I'm not going to take it down; that's a picture of me and my wife kissing on the beach; there's no reason for me to take this photo down.'". Officers were called around . When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. Whitfield's wife Kerrie said she took the photo to mean a black man with a tattoo on his arm was inappropriate. Hes on his third cycle.. While the move may have been about personnel, Whitfield said it feels personal. Oh, yeah, some of them are still doing it, Bryan says. It ate at her. Jones and Jacobson, sick that theyd inadvertently revealed Bryans identity, suggested that the papers lawyers could convince the school district to pay for Bryans tuition. The schools denial. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. 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. 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. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. 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 McClure said no school officials have been implicated in the matter. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. Whatever. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. He sold her the needles.. 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. 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. In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. A petition in support of Whitfield has hundreds of signatures, and he said he's humbled for the support he's received and regrets he held this in for so long. 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 I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. 817-305-4717. At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. He agreed not to name the family members. The man, Stetson Clark, narrowly lost a school board race in May to the incumbent, Becky St. John. 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. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. Lt. Gov. Perhaps that would spur someone to investigate the problem more aggressively. His resignation won't be official. Can you hide it?' The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. What did you expect him to say? 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. 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.". Everyone would forget about it soon enough. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. That they are able to hear and see the students. He rolled it down. She said it to calm her son. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. 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. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. "I think it's sweet. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. and I asked, 'Why? But I didnt want any of this for Bryan, Lewis says. Weve always been close, but since this, its been tough. Lets go, then, he said. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. 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. Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook.