Lewis was dumbfounded. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. He sounded drunk. 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. He hung up. 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. When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. "I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. 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. We've received your submission. The median household income tops $150,000. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. 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. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. As the editorial note at the storys end explained, She and her son feared retaliation from other Colleyville athletes, coaches, and parents. The story said one boy admitted to using them. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. 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. It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. Mother and son had always been close, though. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. No spam, ever. While at UT, Catherine served as managing editor of The Daily Texan, UT's student paper, and interned at the Texas Tribune and Houston Chronicle. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. It wont change anything. I just wish everyone else would.. Like most teens, he acts blas, even when talking about how much he cant wait for college so I can get away from this town, all the crap thats gone on., Not that hes obsessing about it, either, he says. But the students at CHHS had obviously read the story. The schools denial. Oh, no. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. 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. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. By midweek, Bryan couldnt take the whispers and the barely contained seething of the football players. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. 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. How long did you do it? CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. I cant run from this. 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. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . Overall Score 89.05 /100. and I asked, 'Why? 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. Football players were calling him Patrick. Conversations stopped when he arrived. 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. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. 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 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. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. 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. SOUTHLAKE, Texas - Carroll ISD is punishing some students for an offensive video that shows a group of teens chanting the n-word. "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. 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. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. Im gonna beat your ass.. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. 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. 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.. 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. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? I know he is. 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. She opened it wide and turned it to the light. From the moment I called the school, I didnt want him involved. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. Whatever. 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. Keeping Score: FC Dallas lights up the sky and the net on 80s night vs. LA Galaxy, 71-year-old man with dementia missing in Fort Worth, Expect mostly sunny skies this weekend after severe weather hits North Texas, Keller ISD teacher says school administrators asked him to remove Black Lives Matter banner in classroom, 'If I fold, what do they have left?' I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. That evening, she obsessed about its implication. That they are able to hear and see the students. At Colleyville Heritage High, students rushed to defend James Whitfield, who has been accused of embracing critical race theory and is in danger of being fired. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. This one held something. I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. Only one. Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. 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. 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. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. 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. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. Bryan had to lie, even to friends who sidled up to him in private and asked if he was the one. at 7pm. RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer Hes a good kid. Whitfield's wife Kerrie said she took the photo to mean a black man with a tattoo on his arm was inappropriate. Love will! (817) 305-4700. 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 817-305-4717. If a student must be absent from school a parent should call or email the school Attendance Office, the day of the absence, to report the student's name and the reason. Hes not even playing football this year. She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. All students and staff are safe, the school . 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. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. Bryan may be able to help, but dont contact him at school. She worried he would be labeled a snitch if it became a public ordeal. The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. I wanted to protect him. The reporters worked other sources. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Colleyville Heritage principal accused of teaching critical race theory put on paid leave, the principal and a crowd of supporters attended a school board meeting, multiple sources in the district have said, an incident in which a school administrator asked Whitfield to remove a photo of him and his wife, who is white, After call for his firing, Colleyville Heritage principal speaks about critical race theory claims, What we know after 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defers comment on revival of sexual harassment lawsuit. The students created a fake wall with the. Who is available? The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. 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. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. 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. Not their real names, of course. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? That was months ago. The school district announced Monday, August 30, Colleyville Heritage High Principal Dr. James Whitfield was placed on paid administrative leave. She says she sued Coach Cunningham not just because she feels his remarks made life tough in Colleyville, but because she says she wants to be sure other schools will think twice before ignoring a whistle-blower. , Lori Lewis says the comments by Coach Cunningham slandered her and her reputation has been damaged. I dont think that was crazy.. Lt. Gov. Bryan understands, she says. 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. All four got out of the car. Police did not identify either individual. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. ), & 6 (Mon.) Thinks he will. The man, Stetson Clark, narrowly lost a school board race in May to the incumbent, Becky St. John. There were several long pauses, she says. It was too quiet, 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. GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. Its bad enough they identified her as a cheerleader. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. 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. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. 562. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. 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. The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. 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. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. . 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. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . Ive only chosen to speak out against baseless allegations after [the district] allowed a man to speak my name at the July 26 board meeting, he said. Dude, I think thats your mom.. One day in the lunchroom, Bryan walked up to a group of students gathered around a table. 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. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. 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. Its why she doesnt let me talk to, or even see, her husband and younger daughter. Hey, you little pussy, he said. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. She laughs about it more than she complains. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. Had it come to that? McClure said no school officials have been implicated in the matter. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. Cunningham has apologized and said it was wrong to say the things he did, but I think anybody would have reacted the same way. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. The Grapevine . 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. 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 . 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 went to sleep thinking it was the right thing to do. I wonder who it was.. by Brian Lopez They were changed to Patrick and Michelle. When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. Were set to play more disadvantaged and diverse opponents Trinity. Kids need us! the principal added. Not Lewis. She was sad that shed been proven right. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". The high school has about 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades. 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. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. 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. In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. We hid the photo, no one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways. 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. But I didnt want any of this for Bryan, Lewis says. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. Ive counted. But they would not be more specific. In early August, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD placed Whitfield on administrative leave. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. 12. Oh, that. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. 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. "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. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. 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. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. 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 couldnt even get her grass cut? A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. Attendance Clerk. Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. 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. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. All that stuff I could handle, and I do handle, she says. The tick-tock drama of Bryans story, that compelling personal narrative, the hour-by-hour recounting of his traverse from good kid to drug user, would elevate the series. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. 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. An 18-year-old man and a juvenile student are facing criminal charges after a handgun was found inside a students car at Colleyville Heritage High School on Tuesday. He looked online and immediately saw a photo of him and his wife on the beach -- a photo shot by a professional photographer on their anniversary. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. His resignation won't be official. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. The decision. 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. , Chris Cunningham says hes trying to do something about the problem so it doesnt happen again. Arent they illegal now? He knows its just because she loves him, but, damn, so many other kids get away with telling white lies, staying out late. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. No, it didnt. 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. Do you value our journalism? But James Whitfield said he took it to mean the issue was he was in an interracial relationship. I just want to get on with my life. [3] Because the use took place away from school and in the off-season, when it was not related to a school activity, it is unclear whether any school policies have been violated, McClure said. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. Can you take this picture down? Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. A new study says yes. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. 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. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. But other than that, its great. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) Colleyville Heritage High School's new principal, Dr. James Whitfield, is now speaking out saying he wishes he could've taken more of a stand in 2019 after his photo first stirred up. 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. 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. Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. Dangit, you got me!? Who is available? When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. 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.