colleyville heritage high school scandal
By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. Heritage Elementary School 4500 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 Eagle 1991 507 Bransford Elementary School 601 Glade Road . Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? Aug. 5, 2021 In June 2019, shortly after James Whitfield, a Black educator, was hired as the principal of a middle school in Colleyville, Texas, an administrator with the school district. He hung 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. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. Where were you when you first injected them? 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. , Lori Lewis says the comments by Coach Cunningham slandered her and her reputation has been damaged. 817-305-4717. Texas School Finds Few Girls Good Enough for Cheerleading 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 . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. 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. 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. 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. She was sad that shed been proven right. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. Then, two weeks later, Bryan left a movie theater on a weekend night. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. Show us with your support. 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. Hes been up at his schools weight room with other athletes, cleaning the mats, spray-painting the weights, putting the gym junk away. Not one single day.. CHHS Theatre Department 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. 12. But if were really concerned about reputations here, whose reputation has been damaged more? 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. No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. Its a stupid lawsuit. 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. Just over a month later, the district has suspended Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield without explanation, he told The Washington Post on Tuesday. No, she said. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. As the editorial note at the storys end explained, She and her son feared retaliation from other Colleyville athletes, coaches, and parents. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. How did you feel? 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. Some parents learned about the photo incident when they read Whitfields account on Facebook. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. I wanted to protect him. Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. Thats how competitive it is.. I think its sweet. Check to be sure that email from abi@luhsd.net will come through. James Whitfield, principal of Colleyville Heritage High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was placed on paid administrative leave in late August, a month after a former school board candidate . Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. In early August, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD placed Whitfield on administrative leave. Wed have to move if our names came out, she said.. The theory's central idea is that racism is not something restricted to individuals, but that bias is something embedded in policies and legal systems. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. 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. But they would not be more specific. Hes a good kid. This year Colleyville Heritage High School found only 19 girls out of a school of 2,400 students good enough for their cheerleading squad. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. Well, I had an interesting day, he told his mother by phone that night. He rolled it down. Live. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. Colleyville is a Yuppie burb, sure, with a median home price of $335,000, but it is affluence packed on top of a former tiny farming community, a fine cloth draped over an old couch. Aria Jones, Breaking news reporter. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. Texas high school accused of racism after holding Trump-themed rally Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. 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.. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. It was all there. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. I guess they dont care.. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. No one could see her talking to school officials. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. (Everyone already knew, she says.) Can you hide it?' Principal Speaks Out After School District Brands His Anniversary Pic The reporters worked other sources. 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. 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. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School is the 235th largest public high school in Texas and the 1,266th largest nationally. While the move may have been about personnel, Whitfield said it feels personal. 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. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. James Whitfield, principal of. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. 18-year-old man, student face charges after gun found in car at "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, TX - US News Best High 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. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. 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. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. 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. "We don't make rules unless we're asked by our member schools.". Faking it wasnt easy. His decision. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Officers were called around 3:20 p.m. to the campus in the 5400 block of Heritage Avenue about a man with a gun. Colleyville Heritage principal responds to 'racism and bigotry' | Fort Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. ", "Anything that has to do with being inclusive, having a safe and nurturing environment for all students, they want to attach that to CRT, because it's the boogeyman buzzword of the day," added Whitfield. She says she never used the word condone, and her demeanor in all those phone calls was completely appropriate. I just want to get on with my life. 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. But as Lewis read it, she found something horrible. I know he is. And even if the answer was all of them, how many had gone to Kroger and said she needed them for a horse? The school district announced Monday, August 30, Colleyville Heritage High Principal Dr. James Whitfield was placed on paid administrative leave. Lewis decided that she had an obligation to inform the school. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. Admitted it months earlier, not long after the journalists had interviewed Coach Cunningham. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Houston Rockets poised to reap benefits from Eric Gordon trade, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, Why Johnson City in Texas Hill Country is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. It ate at her. (817) 305-4700. School would be out soon. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. Suite 2100 Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: 535. Dec 29, 2022 The 2022-23 UIL high school soccer season officially starts today and the Star Telegram released its first soccer area rankings this week. Get out of the car, Dyer, he said. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. 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 parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. 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. My Mom, the Narc - D Magazine He wrote on Facebook that he could not ask others to speak up if he wont and just because I am a school administrator that does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself.. Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. Phone calls can only be accepted the day of the absence. The student came forward only after his mother discovered a bag full of syringes and vials of liquids in his bedroom closet. They werent snitches. at 7pm. Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. At that moment, it didnt seem like an earth-shattering admission. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. 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. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, TX "They said, 'Could you take it down? Oh, that. Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School (TX) Varsity Football - MaxPreps.com They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics Other articles related to "steroid controversy, steroid, steroids": He sounded drunk. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. It was a football player. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. 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.". That Friday after the story had come out, near midnight, Bryan got a call on his cell phone. Three of his best friends have transferred to it in the past few years, so he has his core group of buddies together. Lewis was dumbfounded. Only one. This story has been shared 117,245 times. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. The story said one boy admitted to using them. 750 North St.Paul St. But I didnt want any of this for Bryan, Lewis says. 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. Hes on his third cycle.. At the first public hearing the school district held to discuss the issue, including spending money for more drug testing, not one parent showed up. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD may decide his fate by Monday. "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.'". The schools denial. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this "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?'