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"When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. No, it didnt. There were four teenagers inside, two in the front seat, two in back. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. Welcome to the Colleyville Heritage PTSA Facebook Page intended to keep our parents, teachers, and students current on upcoming events and opportunities CHHS PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan association that does not endorse any candidate or political party. Lewis jumped in her car and raced the two miles to CHHS. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". 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. 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. 5401 Heritage Ave, Colleyville, Texas | (817) 305-4700. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". 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. But they would not be more specific. How many varsity football players got calls for drug deals in their SAT prep class this year? We've received your submission. She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. We just have to lay low, she said. 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. Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. "They said, 'Could you take it down? Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,925. It was also about keeping up with bitter enemies from Southlake Carroll, Grapevine, Keller, all the schools on the schedule. I think its silly, I cant see why a husband and wife cant have a picture of them in a sweet moment, she said. Police did not identify either individual. He mentions a senior. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. She knew the pettiness would get worse once she filed the lawsuit. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. 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.. The schools denial. Its even tough to find a yardman in town. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. Not Bryans. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. 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.. The photos were from an anniversary trip. Note! He took notes: Most Football Team taking SteroidsSon Played last yearCoach CunninghamSon Plays [blacked out]*Anomysly*. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. Check to be sure that email from abi@luhsd.net will come through. It has 1,879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. 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. It was the right thing to do. 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. 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. Suite 2100 My friends are used to it. "They're here to show their voice. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. That kid will know who Patrick is. Website. 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. 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. The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board voted unanimously on a proposal Monday not to renew the contract of suspended Heritage High School principal James Whitfield. Instead, a car slowly inched into the space next to him. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. 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. 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. They were changed to Patrick and Michelle. I just want to know, Why? 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. by Brian Lopez Colleyville is a majority-white city with only 1% of residents identifying as Black or African American, according to census data. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. Im gonna kick your ass.. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. When he decided not to play (and when he noticed acne on his back during the family vacation in Florida), he stopped. Lewis repeated that shed told him everything she knew. ", "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. His friend stopped him. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. In his post Saturday, Whitfield explained that the photos were taken a decade ago during their 10-year anniversary in Mexico. Here is a look at the Top 3 girls teams in Class 5A. She didnt believe it. Dallas, Texas 75201. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. Her discovery. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. When no one showed up, she called the owner to ask why. The story said one boy admitted to using them. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. 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. In Colleyville, there are four places where kids usually hang out after dark: Whataburger, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Wendys. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. She was the founding editor of the websites PureWow Dallas and Racked Dallas. Thats your investigation? Who knew? I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. Later, they showed Bryan the list. No one from the school called her. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. Its a stupid lawsuit. Bryan may be able to help, but dont contact him at school. She worried he would be labeled a snitch if it became a public ordeal. Mom, they already know. No real names, anyway. Oh, no. Stressed over the accusations, Whitfield said he couldn't shake the photo incident of 2019 from his head and the district's conclusion the photo was inappropriate. NO NAMES. Nearly a year later, she still believes this. "The vast majority of people in that community, they know who I am. Whats wrong with the picture? It was, Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict, he told the station. 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. She wants a million-five. Ive counted. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. Good Lord, Lewis thought. 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. They are: 1. 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. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. 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. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. What did you expect him to say? James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. 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. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. 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 they are able to hear and see the students. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. I think its sweet. Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. 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. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. But other than that, its great. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. Hes a happily married man. Colleyville Heritage High School. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD may decide his fate by Monday. 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? 6 /10. Who is available? 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. I know that there's just so many people under these attacks and that's my greatest fear because this profession means so much to me, he said. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. But the reporters needed something else. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. Dangit, you got me!? According to their story, Cunningham went on a 15-minute rant and blamed the then-unidentified mother for creating this problem. 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. Even though it was approved by the district, the presentation was used to vilify my colleagues and me, he wrote. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. The coach, Chris Cunningham, denied the accusations in reports published at the time and said he was adamantly against steroids. Not one single day.. He said he agreed to take some of the photos down. 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. reflections@chhsptsa.org. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. 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. "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. It's something he and the district have denied. If my house was on fire, would you put it out? she asked. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. When Bryan got to school on Monday, it didnt take long to see that his cover had been blown. Now, GOP lawmakers have turned their attention to what books children have access to in schools.