colleyville heritage high school scandal

Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Ive counted. [3] "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. Colleyville Heritage High School is the 235th largest public high school in Texas and the 1,266th largest nationally. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. 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. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. That evening, she obsessed about its implication. 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. How did you feel? GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. Is Whataburger healthy? Thats it? That was months ago. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". Do you value our journalism? It had absolutely nothing to do with race. reflections@chhsptsa.org. 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. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. 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. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. They were extremely polite but thorough. 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. 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. Told that, McClure said she was certain the information had been passed on to the Colleyville department. It was supposed to be a celebration for Whitfield, who had just been named principal of Colleyville Heritage Middle School two years ago, and his family. No real names, anyway. Who is available? An anonymous parent called the high school and said football players were using steroids, which are illegal to use or possess in Texas without a prescription, and that the school's football coach condoned it. Never missed one, she says proudly. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. I guess they dont care.. 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. SOUTHLAKE, Texas - Carroll ISD is punishing some students for an offensive video that shows a group of teens chanting the n-word. "They said, 'Could you take it down? The schools denial. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics Other articles related to "steroid controversy, steroid, steroids": 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. Officers were called around . Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. Thinks he will. I dont think that was crazy.. He mentions a senior. It didnt take long for more questions to come. You heard that story earlier tonight. I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. The photos were from an anniversary trip. 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. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. Opposition to critical race theory has become a rallying cry for Texas Republican leaders, who claim its indoctrinating students and teaching white students that they are racist. Mom, Im going over there. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. 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. Lewis decided that she had an obligation to inform the school. That they are able to hear and see the students. Why would he use steroids? Dan Patrick has called it a ridiculous leftist narrative. Gov. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. Lesli Ware. That kid will know who Patrick is. One of those parents complained. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Had it come to that? 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. 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 . Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She was still at her sales conference. Hate and #racism will not rule the day. Summarizing his defense, he finally blurted, Mom, the majority of the football team is taking them.. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. That Friday after the story had come out, near midnight, Bryan got a call on his cell phone. Its bad enough they identified her as a cheerleader. Here is a look at the Top 3 girls teams in Class 5A. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. Not Lewis. Not Bryans. Live. Over time, Bryan began to trust them and open up. Oh, that. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. No one could see her talking to school officials. I just want to know, Why? They were changed to Patrick and Michelle. 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. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. She tries to focus on the things shes helped accomplish. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. , Chris Cunningham says hes trying to do something about the problem so it doesnt happen again. No, it didnt. 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 one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. School would be out soon. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. 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. 817-305-4717. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. 5401 Heritage Ave. Colleyville, TX 76034-5919. 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? "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. No one from the school called her. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". Attendance Clerk. She was sad that shed been proven right. Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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.. It was the right thing to do. Then, two weeks later, Bryan left a movie theater on a weekend night. It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. They are: 1. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. From the moment I called the school, I didnt want him involved. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. And while her son was fighting his battles, Lewis was fighting hers. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. How did you get the syringes? 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 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. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. 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. To the kids, it wasnt just about making coaches happy. I think its sweet. It ate at her. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. 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. They said, Could you take it down? But she acknowledges that if shed known then how her city would turn against her, how her son would become ostracized by other kids, how her motives would be mocked on radio and television, how her actions would be second-guessed by police, it would have given her pause. 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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. A new study says yes. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. Thats how competitive it is.. He loves his new school. I just wish everyone else would.. 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. 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. 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 driver came after him. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. For weeks, kids buzzed about who they thought might be the anonymous athlete caught using steroids. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. She is suing the coach and the school district for $1.5 million because Cunningham said Lewis was a liar and crazy in an interview with the News. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. 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 has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. It's something he and the district have denied. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. He sounded drunk. Lewis is suing because Cunningham told the Morning News she was a liar and a crazy mom. Kids need us! the principal added. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. She wants a million-five. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. There were also names. So I wouldnt feel comfortable mowing your lawn.. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org 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. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. "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?' 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. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the. 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. He said he agreed to take some of the photos down. 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. 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. 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. Critical race theory, or CRT, is an academic discipline usually taught at the university level. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Buy tickets online here. THEATRE DEPARTMENT. In early August, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD placed Whitfield on administrative leave. We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. But as Lewis read it, she found something horrible. 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. Show us with your support. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. 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. Anybody really believe that? 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. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. Im going to fight him.. ", "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. Hes been up at his schools weight room with other athletes, cleaning the mats, spray-painting the weights, putting the gym junk away. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. That they will no longer give into that culture of forcing to assimilate and being ashamed of their identity," said student Sunehra Cowdhury. Submission Deadline: 11/4/22. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. 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. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. Im gonna beat your ass.. 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. by Brian Lopez During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. (Even though, technically, its in Euless.) 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. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. She says she never used the word condone, and her demeanor in all those phone calls was completely appropriate. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". Can you take this picture down? How many of them bought needles for players? Except for a few friends, he felt ostracized. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. 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 -. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Website. Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. 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. "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. We've received your submission. Update: Revised at 9 p.m. with more information. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. "I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. Im used to it.. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. They werent snitches. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal After finding steroids in her son's athletic bag in September of 2004, a Colleyville Heritage mom approached school administrators after. The student came forward only after his mother discovered a bag full of syringes and vials of liquids in his bedroom closet. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Hes not happy that Im still talking to the media. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. 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! Its why she doesnt let me talk to, or even see, her husband and younger daughter. 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 . Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. And even if the answer was all of them, how many had gone to Kroger and said she needed them for a horse? 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. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. 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. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. It was early afternoon on Wednesday, September 22, and the Colleyville mother, after putting away the jeans, noticed a black leather bag. She laughs about it more than she complains. All students and staff are safe, the school . 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. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) 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. The man, Stetson Clark, narrowly lost a school board race in May to the incumbent, Becky St. John. 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. Bryan knew who it was. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. 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. The students created a fake wall with the. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. 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. Why did you stop?Jones and Jacobson, top-notch investigative reporters, had been working on a series of stories about steroid abuse in area high schools. I just want to get on with my life. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. Officers were called around 3:20 p.m. to the campus in the 5400 block of Heritage Avenue about a man with a gun. 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. Her son, a junior at Colleyville Heritage High School, had several such travel bags in his closet, but the others were all pressed flat, unused. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. Can you hide it?' "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. Contact info. This one held something. 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.

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colleyville heritage high school scandal

colleyville heritage high school scandal