They are: 1. While the move may have been about personnel, Whitfield said it feels personal. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. 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. Theyre open late, they have cheap food, and theyre close by. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. 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. 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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 . He sold her the needles.. "I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. 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.". 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. No real names, anyway. Example video title will go here for this video. Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. Proponents also believe race is culturally invented, not biological. Hey, you little pussy, he said. Weve always been close, but since this, its been tough. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. She knew it would have to be this way. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. Im used to it.. How did you get the syringes? In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. The photos were from an anniversary trip. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD may decide his fate by Monday. Can you hide it?' When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. Dude, I think thats your mom.. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. 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. I just want to get on with my life. He sounded drunk. reflections@chhsptsa.org. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. 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. 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. Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,925. 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.. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. 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 parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. Mom, they already know. (Cunningham says that at the time of the remarks, he didnt know Lewis identity, and he has since apologized.) He knew where he was: at a party one block over. Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Youget home! she told him. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. 972-983-4822 cell. She wants a million-five. 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. Who knew? They needed more information. Theyd made a mistake, she says. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. This story has been shared 117,245 times. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. "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.'". All rights reserved, Highlighter: North Texas Students Help NASA Scientists, Educational Trailers Stolen After Presentations at Dallas Schools, Novak Djokovic Denied' US Entry Ahead Of Indian Wells, Joe Biden Asked To Intervene, Counseling Services Offered After Three Children Killed, Two Hurt In Ellis County, Check Your Change! Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. Cunningham has apologized and said it was wrong to say the things he did, but I think anybody would have reacted the same way. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. Sort of. Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. Not one single day.. at 7pm. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? That they will no longer give into that culture of forcing to assimilate and being ashamed of their identity," said student Sunehra Cowdhury. 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. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? He has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. Ive moved on. 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. It's something he and the district have denied. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. 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. Were set to play more disadvantaged and diverse opponents Trinity. LIVE: Colleyville Heritage vs. Grapevine | 2023 High School Soccer - YouTube Premieres in 4 hours February 21 at 4:00 PM Rice Memorial vs. Colchester | 2023 High School Boys Basketball. 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 Officers were called around . Where were you when you first injected them? Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. Get out of the car, Dyer, he said. I just want to know, Why? CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. No spam, ever. HERE IS PART OF ABC CHANNEL 8 SPORTS director Dale Hansens on-air editorial from April 19, the day Lewis filed a lawsuit against Coach Chris Cunningham for slander, asking for $1.5 million in damages. Not Bryans. The students created a fake wall with the. Colleyville is a majority-white city with only 1% of residents identifying as Black or African American, according to census data. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics Other articles related to "steroid controversy, steroid, steroids": 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! Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. 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. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. 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. Told that, McClure said she was certain the information had been passed on to the Colleyville department. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . 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. You heard that story earlier tonight. Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. He received a disciplinary letter from the district a few weeks later and was placed on administrative leave soon after that. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. But as Lewis read it, she found something horrible. Mother and son had always been close, though. Later, they showed Bryan the list. . 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 . And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. 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. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. Im gonna beat your ass.. 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. 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. "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. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. 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. And during the second special session, lawmakers successfully passed Senate Bill 3, a more restrictive version of the House bill that will replace HB 3979 on Dec. 2. 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. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. In a letter to parents Monday, Superintendent Robin Ryan wrote that Whitfield has been placed on leave but that he would not go into the specifics because it is a personnel matter., Whitfield, the schools first Black principal, told The Dallas Morning News on Monday night that he was told he was put on leave indefinitely because the superintendent has determined that doing so is in the best interest of the District.. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. ", "Nothing he's done has anything to do with critical race theory," said civil rights attorney David Henderson ofEllwanger Law, which is supporting Whitfield. Colleyville Heritage High School is a top rated, public school located in COLLEYVILLE, TX. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. Not their real names, of course. That they are able to hear and see the students. Buy tickets online here. By midweek, Bryan couldnt take the whispers and the barely contained seething of the football players. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. It was a football player. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. 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. It was time to do something about her own reputationand those of future whistle-blowers. In May 2018, Dr. Ryan was named the 2018 Region XI Superintendent of the Year. Beal said she was not cooperating. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. The man, Stetson Clark, narrowly lost a school board race in May to the incumbent, Becky St. John. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. 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. Who is available? It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. No big deal, Bryan thought. 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. 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. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. 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. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. Theyre mad at my mom because shes messing with that.. 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.". A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. ABSENCES. It was the right thing to do. Lewis begged him to calm down. Thank you for spreading love! "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. 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. That kid will know who Patrick is. We just have to lay low, she said. At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. 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. Its pretty simple. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville ISD officials. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. McClure said no school officials have been implicated in the matter. 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. People leave me alone. He agreed not to name the family members. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. Can you take this picture down? 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. "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. Anna Caplan covers McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville. 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. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. Anybody really believe that? Hes not even playing football this year. School would be out soon. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. "I think it's sweet. 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.