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. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. 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. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. The student came forward only after his mother discovered a bag full of syringes and vials of liquids in his bedroom closet. 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. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. 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. Twitter Fam, Youve probably seen #IStandwithDrWhitfield coming across your timeline, wondering what on earth is going on. Skater punks, Bryan would call them. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? Its even tough to find a yardman in town. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. 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, 18-year-old man, student face charges after gun found in car at Colleyville Heritage High School, 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. Texas Teacher of the Year keeps focus on students to drown out political noise, 'Its about a happy classroom': Garland ISD focusing on social emotional learning. All students and staff are safe, the school . They said, Could you take it down? That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. "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. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School is the 235th largest public high school in Texas and the 1,266th largest nationally. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. He is rubbing his hands while he talks, trying to get the grime off his fingers. "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. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. Normally, the school dismisses at 4 p.m., a district spokesman said, but around 5:15 p.m. the district tweeted that it was doing a controlled dismissal of all students.. 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. Officers were called around . 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.. Bryan had to lie, even to friends who sidled up to him in private and asked if he was the one. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. And while her son was fighting his battles, Lewis was fighting hers. The CHHS teacher who cornered her in the parking lot after the second public hearing and told her many teachers supported her but were afraid to speak out. You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. ", "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. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. This one held something. Not quoted are the audible giggles of news anchor Gloria Campos: The mother who helped uncover the steroid use at Colleyville Heritage High School, Lori Lewis, is suing football coach Chris Cunningham. at 7pm. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. Theres no reason for me to take this photo down,' he told KXAS. Lewis is suing because Cunningham told the Morning News she was a liar and a crazy mom. Colleyville Heritage High School. 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. 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. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. Lt. Gov. Where did you get them? The agreement seemingly puts an end to Whitfields arduous battle with the school district that date backs to July 26, when he was first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting by Stetson Clark, a former candidate for the district's school board. , Lori Lewis says the comments by Coach Cunningham slandered her and her reputation has been damaged. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. Whatever. The photos were from an anniversary trip. 817-305-4717. His resignation won't be official. He's a happily married man. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. 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.". Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville ISD officials. The story said one boy admitted to using them. 972-983-4822 cell. She makes mention of that one time someone said or did something to her daughter relating to the steroids backlash, but when I ask about it, she says she wont talk about it. 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. The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. 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. Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. Lewis was stunned. 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. Bryan knew who it was. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) I wonder who it was.. 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. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. 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. But no names were used. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. Our membership goal is 1 voice for every student! 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. She told the pharmacist she needed to vaccinate a horse. Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. Colleyville Heritage became the focus of a district investigation during the 2004-2005 school year after a Panther football/baseball player and his mother confronted school administrators and GCISD about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Where were you when you first injected them? Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting. Note! 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. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. "They said, 'Could you take it down? If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. 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 was time to do something about her own reputationand those of future whistle-blowers. 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. How long did you do it? Im gonna kick your ass.. Too many of them are, but this one certainly is. She didnt believe it. After months of trying, Jones and Jacobson finally interviewed coach Chris Cunningham, who declined to talk to D Magazine through a spokeswoman and through his lawyers. Police did not identify either individual. "They're here to show their voice. She wants a million-five. Theyre open late, they have cheap food, and theyre close by. Over time, Bryan began to trust them and open up. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. 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. Never missed one, she says proudly. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. 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. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. 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. Good Lord, Lewis thought. 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. 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. All four got out of the car. She knew it would have to be this way. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. Can you take this picture down? 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. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. I know he is. State Rep. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, who is running for state attorney general, recently launched an inquiry into the types of books students can access in Texas schools, which included an 850-book list. 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?' It read nandrolone decanoate.. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Minutes later, her son, Bryan Dyer (Lewis remarried in 1993), walked out of the school with a friend and headed toward his truck. But if were really concerned about reputations here, whose reputation has been damaged more? Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. Im gonna beat your ass.. She hurried downstairs and called the pharmacy at the nearby Walgreens. Read more about CRT here. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. 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. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. 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. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. He will step down as principal at Colleyville Heritage High School and remain on paid leave until 2023. first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. As the editorial note at the storys end explained, She and her son feared retaliation from other Colleyville athletes, coaches, and parents. The driver came after him. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. "But if it's not CRT for this group, it will be something else.". Hate and #racism will not rule the day. Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. ON FEBRUARY 12, A SATURDAY, LEWIS WALKED into a salon to have her hair done. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Lewis. The video was shot off campus and not during normal school hours.. Then, one evening the Courier reporter called Lewis and asked if he could pass along her phone number to two reporters with the Dallas Morning News who were working on a series of stories examining steroid use in high schools all across North Texas. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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.. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. (Everyone already knew, she says.) They werent too happy with me, she says. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. Who is available? The median household income tops $150,000. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. 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. 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. Join us today so we can achieve that goal! 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. "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. But the reporters needed something else. What's wrong with the picture?' 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. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. He agreed not to name the family members. It was the sort of breakthrough that could take a pointy-headed newspaper treatise and make it touch people, win awards, effect change. It wont change anything. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. "We don't know what report they're talking about," she said. Except for a few friends, he felt ostracized. 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. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. Its bad enough they identified her as a cheerleader. 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. 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. It was the right thing to do. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. 8:06 PM on Aug 30, 2021 CDT Updated at 1:21 PM on Sep 1, 2021 CDT. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. While at UT, Catherine served as managing editor of The Daily Texan, UT's student paper, and interned at the Texas Tribune and Houston Chronicle. 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. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. Well, I had an interesting day, he told his mother by phone that night. 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. Colleyville Heritage High School Unclaimed. "We don't make rules unless we're asked by our member schools.". Her discovery. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. (817) 305-4700. But you figure theres a problem at the school, you call the school. She tries to focus on the things shes helped accomplish. 5401 Heritage Ave, Colleyville, Texas | (817) 305-4700. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. A weighted scale means additional GPA points are assigned to courses with greater rigor. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. Woman arrested in killing of 3 children at Italy, Texas, home in Ellis County, 41 North Texas congregations granted approval to leave the United Methodist Church, American Airlines, flight attendants file for mediation during contract negotiations, New Uptown office tower lands second major lease, Years after North Texas bid for Amazons second headquarters, retail giant halts plan, Mesquite to become the site of new 2,500-home community, North Texas builders see influx of activity in new year, but challenges persist, Mark Wahlberg pours tequila for fans at Dallas restaurant during thunderstorm, Chambelanes cambian de look: bailarines se adaptan a una nueva moda y ritmo en DFW, The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, Stars notebook: Jamie Benn presented silver stick in honor of 1,000th career game, 12 Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants that have closed in 2023. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. 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.