Lewis was convinced the tiny bottle held heroin, unaware that most illicit drugs are not sold with pharmaceutical labels. 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. As Lewis recalls, Beal said, Ive talked to Coach Cunningham, and he says its not true. And the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has adopted an aggressive drug-testing policy, due largely to the hot media glare Lewis helped focus on the school and its tepid (in her view) initial response to her charges. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. We hid the photo, no one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. Going forward, Whitfield believes his work in education isnt done. On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . ", "Nothing he's done has anything to do with critical race theory," said civil rights attorney David Henderson ofEllwanger Law, which is supporting Whitfield. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. "They're here to show their voice. No real names, anyway. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Colleyville kids rarely venture far from home. 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. 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. Ive told you everything I know. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. 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. Lewis told Beal she was left with no choice but to take her story to the media. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. He mentions a senior. 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. (817) 305-4700. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. 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. Live. Where did you get them? 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! By midweek, Bryan couldnt take the whispers and the barely contained seething of the football players. 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.". On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. 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. Faking it wasnt easy. Who is available? Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. Beal said she was not cooperating. When Lori Lewis learned that many players on her sons Colleyville Heritage football team were using steroids, she blew the whistle. They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Anybody really believe that? 4:25 PM on Mar 1, 2022 CST Updated at 8:58 PM on Mar 1, 2022 CST. 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. "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way.. Hes not happy that Im still talking to the media. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? Thats your investigation? It was too quiet, she says. Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: Officers were called around . Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. In a town like Colleyville, you cant tell anyone a secret you want kept. He's a happily married man. Sitting at her computer in her Mid Cities work cubicle, Lewis felt disheartened as she read the story. The coach, Chris Cunningham, denied the accusations in reports published at the time and said he was adamantly against steroids. Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 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. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. Wed have to move if our names came out, she said.. 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. The one who could name Bryan. 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 Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. Not Lewis. 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. No, it didnt. Oh, no. 12. They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. The high school has about 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades. Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. The answer, anabolic steroids, provided a bit of relief. 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. I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears," he said. Its pretty simple. Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this / CBS Texas, UPDATE: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Releases New Statement On Decision To Put Principal James Whitfield On Paid Administrative Leave. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. Kids need us! the principal added. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. 5401 Heritage Ave. Colleyville, TX 76034-5919. In May 2018, Dr. Ryan was named the 2018 Region XI Superintendent of the Year. 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. 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.". So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. 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. "The only mention we make is a warning on health effects on our Web site," she said. 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. 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? I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears, said Whitfield, adding that he took it to mean that he was being criticized for being in an interracial relationship. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. "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. Sitting in her living room, Lewis moans slightly and puts her head down when her son explains what his life is like now: I just want this to be over, Bryan, 17, says. GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. How many of them bought needles for players? ABSENCES. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. 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. 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. Check to be sure that email from abi@luhsd.net will come through. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. But they would not be more specific. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. His friend stopped him. 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. Nov. 10, 20215 PM Central. Sort of. 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. From the moment I called the school, I didnt want him involved. One of those parents complained about the photo and the district ordered Whitfield to take it down. It was time to do something about her own reputationand those of future whistle-blowers. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. 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. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. Hed only used them for a short while at the end of his sophomore year, when he wanted to make the varsity team as a junior. They needed more information. But no names were used. 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. Well, Im a friend of Coach Cunninghams. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. 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. 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. It's he and his beautiful wife, they have a beautiful family," said Sunni Roppollo, who has children at Colleyville Heritage High. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Bryan understands, she says. 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. Anna Caplan covers McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville. 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. Butbefore he could pop open the champagne his boss called and asked him to check his email. Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,925. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. It's something he and the district have denied. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. 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. CHHS has several sub-administrators who are given students to oversee based on last name. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. (Everyone already knew, she says.) The school is a part of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and serves freshmen through senior students in Colleyville and the surrounding areas of Tarrant County. Bryan, three inches taller, popped him in the face. And it has nearly ruined their lives. 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. 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.