Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. She asked the druggist to decipher the label for her. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. Check to be sure that email from abi@luhsd.net will come through. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. Show us with your support. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. 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. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. 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. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. 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. Im used to it.. He sold her the needles.. 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. Good Lord, Lewis thought. 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.. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. He wants to play wide receiver. Its bad enough they identified her as a cheerleader. Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. They know.. No, it didnt. "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 median household income tops $150,000. My friends are used to it. "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?' There were several long pauses, she says. # 1,954 in National Rankings. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. I guess they dont care.. No big deal, Bryan thought. Website. Hate and #racism will not rule the day. She says she has had to endure the communitys anger despite what should have been ample vindication: the Dallas Morning News, in an ongoing and exhaustive investigative series, has proven that steroids use in North Texas high schools is greater than many want to believe. 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. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. Whitfield's wife Kerrie said she took the photo to mean a black man with a tattoo on his arm was inappropriate. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. Its why she doesnt let me talk to, or even see, her husband and younger daughter. 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. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Dozens of students and parents rallied outside Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's school board meeting Monday night, August 23, to show support for Colleyville. The story said one boy admitted to using them. Cunningham wants to know, Why now? Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. 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. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. Thats your investigation? At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. (Everyone already knew, she says.) Her discovery. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. 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. They are: 1. 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. Aria writes about breaking news. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer When the kids get to middle school, a lot of them go to sports camps in the summer to improve. 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. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. He agreed not to name the family members. The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. It ate at her. There were four teenagers inside, two in the front seat, two in back. I think it's silly, I can't see why a husband and wife can't have a picture of them in a sweet moment.". Who is available? Skater punks, Bryan would call them. He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. Feb. 5, 2005. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. 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.. 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. Weve always been close, but since this, its been tough. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He says that many of the football players at Colleyville were introduced to steroids by someone from a nearby rival. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. 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. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. Later, they showed Bryan the list. 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. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. Im gonna beat your ass.. When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. 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. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. . Minutes later, her son, Bryan Dyer (Lewis remarried in 1993), walked out of the school with a friend and headed toward his truck. Proponents also believe race is culturally invented, not biological. Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. Mom, they already know. Its even tough to find a yardman in town. 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.. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. Hey, you little pussy, he said. He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. 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. 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 We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. But the students at CHHS had obviously read the story. She hurried downstairs and called the pharmacy at the nearby Walgreens. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. 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. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. How did you feel? 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. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 12. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. It read nandrolone decanoate.. Can you take this picture down? Ive counted. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. 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! Can you take this picture down? 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.". 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. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. Theres not a steroids problem on his team.. 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. 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. It wont change anything. But the moms wouldnt tell the other moms about it, because they want their kid to have an edge. The one who could name Bryan. All four got out of the car. This year Colleyville Heritage High School found only 19 girls out of a school of 2,400 students good enough for their cheerleading squad. Besides, she said. He hung up. 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. Earlier this week, Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency, along with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the State Board of Education, to develop statewide standards preventing "obscene content in Texas public schools.". Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! Greg Abbott has called for it to be abolished in Texas schools. He marched into his mothers room and paced in front of her. For Lori Lewis is, if not a pariah in Colleyville, a shamed woman in the eyes of many who believe her campaign has unfairly smeared its high school, coach, and football program. "I think it's sweet. While the status of this as an ongoing personnel matter limits the information that the District can disclose about the events leading up to this decision, the speculation and conjecture that surround these events warrant some additional context. Three of his best friends have transferred to it in the past few years, so he has his core group of buddies together. 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. And it has nearly ruined their lives. As Lewis recalls, Beal said, Ive talked to Coach Cunningham, and he says its not true. Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. Ive moved on. I can control my kids, one parent said to her during the meeting. It was all there. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. He loves his new school. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. They were extremely polite but thorough. That was months ago. His friend stopped him. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. Because even though Lewis did the right thing, and even though she took every measure to protect her sons identity when she made that call and then later took her story to the media, it is Bryan who ultimately paid the price for his moms principled stand. 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 . Thank you for spreading love! Im gonna kick your ass.. The students created a fake wall with the. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. 4:25 PM on Mar 1, 2022 CST Updated at 8:58 PM on Mar 1, 2022 CST. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. According to their story, Cunningham went on a 15-minute rant and blamed the then-unidentified mother for creating this problem. "They're here to show their voice. Anybody really believe that? The photos were from an anniversary trip. He rolled it down. Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. 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. 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. And while her son was fighting his battles, Lewis was fighting hers. Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. I wonder who it was.. How many varsity football players got calls for drug deals in their SAT prep class this year? On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting. The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, a wealthy suburban district northeast of Fort Worth, said eight seniors and one junior admitted using the performance-enhancing drugs for a short period last spring. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. Colleyville Heritage High School is a top rated, public school located in COLLEYVILLE, TX. 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. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. She couldnt even get her grass cut? They even went to football games, sat in the stands, and made a list of the players who looked like they might be using steroids, based on the common signs: acne, muscular definition, rage. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. It was too quiet, she says. Admitted it months earlier, not long after the journalists had interviewed Coach Cunningham. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. , Chris Cunningham says hes trying to do something about the problem so it doesnt happen again. 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. He just wants to enjoy his senior year, and I want to do everything I can to help him., But, she says, she believes she has a mission. It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. 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. 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. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. 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. 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. I dont think that was crazy.. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. ON FEBRUARY 12, A SATURDAY, LEWIS WALKED into a salon to have her hair done. CNN A high school principal in North Texas who was placed on leave after being publicly accused of promoting critical race theory has agreed to leave his role. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. 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. The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. But no names were used. In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? The CHHS kids who posted to the Morning News steroids bulletin boards, saying everyone knew this was a problem, that it is still a problem. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to do with critical race theory or allegations by a small group of parents. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. But as Lewis read it, she found something horrible. Note! Lewis was dumbfounded. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. Grapevine-Colleyville sources have said that the district does not teach CRT, a doctrine that pushes the notion that racism underpins Americas history, laws and institutions, according to the Dallas Morning News. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. Lewis didnt want to confront Bryan in front of his friends. 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. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. One of the students was detained on a charge of having a weapon in a place where its prohibited, police said. I know he is. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. His resignation won't be official. No one could see her talking to school officials. Bryan knew who it was. James Whitfield, the first Black principal at mostly white Colleyville Heritage High School, chose to resign but remain on paid administrative leave until 2023 in a settlement with the school district. 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. "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. THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. 972-983-4822 cell. Had that photo been the only image, there would have been no request to remove it., In the superintendents letter Monday, Ryan told parents that the entire District leadership team and I are fully committed to the success and well-being of Colleyville Heritage students as we move forward together.. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. "That show of love and support is a signal for me that in some form or fashion, I've made an impact in their lives and that's what I'm here to do," said Whitfield. The 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 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. One of those parents complained about the photo and the district ordered Whitfield to take it down. 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. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. I think its silly, I cant see why a husband and wife cant have a picture of them in a sweet moment, she said. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE. Told that, McClure said she was certain the information had been passed on to the Colleyville department. Summarizing his defense, he finally blurted, Mom, the majority of the football team is taking them.. Who is available? Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. 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? Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. The architects of the theory argue that the United States was founded on the theft of land and labor and that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people on the basis of race. The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the. Where did you get them? 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. No spam, ever. Im going to fight him.. I just want to know, Why? A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. I just want to get on with my life. 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. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. Dude, I think thats your mom.. Judges rejected so many of the girls that they did not have enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity squad this year.