Chester Community School District 139

CHS IN-PERSON FEE PAYMENT PROCESS UPDATES: There are now two locations to acquire forms and pay fees in-person at CHS. The first is the former lunch money locker at the W.O. Smith Field end of the 2nd floor of the A-Building, which now also has some forms available as well as two types of envelopes. The second location is in the new secure vestibule of our new main entrance office on the W.O. Smith Field side of the A-Building (1925 edition). Parents are free to use the entrance office site for their convenience as well as building security. Our two new envelopes are: small, used for lunch money deposits only and large, used for all non-lunch fee deposits and accompanying forms.

Check it out!!! CGS is now offering a variety of apparel items for purchase in support of our PTS!! By supporting the CGS Parent-Teacher Society through these apparel purchases, you can show your school spirit and contribute to the organization's initiatives. Apparel also makes a good Christmas gift!! 😉 Orders need to be in by October 31st!!! Thank you for your support!! https://chestergrade2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/

CGS, CHS & DISTRICT OFFICE HAPPY BOSS'S DAY: We would like to thank our Admin Team at CGS, CHS and the District Office and wish them a Happy Boss's Day. Thank you for all of your hard work, all you do for our students, staff and community!

Join our awesome staff at the Grade School 🤩

CHS FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SHIRTS (CORRECTION 2): This year's CHS Football Playoff Shirt is being sold through the online store at the link that follows. Last day to order is 10/21/24. Pickup at CHS after 10/29/24. https://shopsilkworm.com/chesterhsfootball Please contact Silkworm at 618-687-4077 if you have any questions

CGS FALL PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE EXIT SURVEY LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfP7b1P-9W7QGGVvyVDH57bftZg9RbCYZ5l0usarwgAHy_EwQ/viewform?usp=sf_link See attached graphic.

CHS FALL PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE EXIT SURVEY LINK: https://forms.gle/wxXoGPELqMQ1FQiW8 See attached graphic.

CHS VOLLEYBALL SENIOR NIGHT: Tuesday 10/22/24 Volleyball Senior Night Colbert Gym Before the Varsity Game

CHS FALL SPORTS SENIOR NIGHT: Friday 10/18/24 Fall Sports Senior Night Football, Cross-Country, Golf, Cheer, Dance & Band W.O. Smith Field 6:15 PM

CGS: Junior High Girls Basketball PRACTICE IS CANCELED this evening, 10/14. The parent meeting will now take place Wednesday 10/16 after practice.

PHOTO 1 Several Chester High School students from Amy Miller's class volunteered at the September 2024 CACFP Mobile Market. Pictured (left to right) are Amy Miller, Teacher, Drew Wilderman, Amari Perez, Brookelyn McLain, Leslie Asbury, Peyton Dixon, and Angie Werner, Paraprofessional. Jim Beers Photo PHOTO 2 Volunteers sort and arrange 11 pallets of food to be distributed at the September CACFP Mobile Market. Some of the food items offered Wednesday September 25 included cabbages, potatoes, cookies, crackers, meats, water, fruit juices, cheeses, sour cream, hot dogs, sandwich cheese slices, broccoli, red cabbage, beef roasts, asparagus, and various assorted food items. Jim Beers Photo PHOTO 3 A packed parking lot awaits 11 pallets of food to be unloaded and sorted for distribution at the September 25, 2024 Mobile Market sponsored by the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry. Food items were delivered by the St. Louis Area Food Bank. The September 2024 Mobile Market was one of the biggest hosted in years and included 112 vouchers that fed 291 individuals. The Mobile Markets are held at the Cohen Recreation Complex on the 4th Wednesday of each month at approximately 8 a.m. Jim Beers Photo PHOTO 4 The Wednesday September 25 Mobile Market hosted by the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP) was one of the biggest and best held in years. The parking lot at the Cohen Recreation Complex in Chester was filled with more than six rows of cars and trucks awaiting to be served when the market opened at approximately 9 a.m. During the month of September 2024 the Food Pantry served 220 households that had 557 individuals. That total included 190 children. The Food Pantry now needs donations of diapers sizes 2, 5, and 6; kids snacks & treats; drinks, cereals, and boxed dinners. Monetary donations are always welcomed which help to stock shelves with items that are not donated. Beginning WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry will ONLY BE OPEN ONE DAY A WEEK due to staffing issues. The pantry will be open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. ON WEDNESDAYS ONLY! Jim Beers Photo

CGS & CHS, NO SCHOOL FRIDAY OCTOBER 11TH & MONDAY 14th: Just a friendly reminder that there is NO school tomorrow the 11th or Monday, the 14th. Parent Teacher Conferences are Tuesday the 15th and Thursday the 17th from 3:00pm to 6:30pm with both days being 1:30pm early dismissal days for students. Online scheduling for grade school conferences closes tonight. High school online scheduling will be open until Sunday evening. Please call CGS at (618) 826-2354 or CHS at (618) 826-2302 if you have questions with scheduling a conference. Thank you.

CGS & CHS PHONE SERVICE RESTORED: Phone service has been restored to both CGS & CHS. Thank you for your patience.

CGS & CHS PHONE OUTAGE: Apologies for the inconvenience, CGS & CHS are currently experiencing a phone outage. We will post when service is restored.

CGS: JACKETS OF THE MONTH The following students at Chester Grade School were the winners of the September "Jackets of the Month" awards. Each grade, Kindergarten through 8th Grade, was represented by one student who has demonstrated ALL FOUR of the "HIVE" character traits of Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and Empathy EVERY DAY at CGS throughout the month. The nine winners received 5 PBIS Points, a certificate, and will be invited to attend a special party at the end of the year. Pictured are: (Row 1) Evelynn Schwier, Kindergarten; Zoe Atchison, 1st Grade; and Karmin Jara, 4th Grade. (Row 2): Myah Ordonez, 5th Grade; Makenzly Stewart, 6th Grade; Jaylee Belton, 7th Grade; and Morgan Nanney, 8th Grade. Not Pictured: Phoenix Leftwich, 1st Grade and Tegan Breeden, 3rd Grade. The "Jacket of the Month" program is coordinated by Kasey Crook, School Social Worker. (article & photo by Jim Beers)

YellowJackets shut out Carlyle 41-0 to improve to 6-0, 3-0 (2 of 2) Quarterback Zain Al-Jassim sets new all-time CHS record for passing yards at 3,957 BY JIM BEERS Individual performances included senior Devante Palacio who led the defense with 5 solo tackles, 7 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 4 tackles for a loss. Junior Ethan Colvis had 5 solos and 5 assists. Other defensive efforts included Nate Maes (3 solos, 2 assists, and 1 tackle for a loss (TFL), Cayden Brunkhorst (2 solo, 5 assists), Tino Rafael (2 solos, 5 assists), Tray Peters (2 solos, 3 assists), Zane Eggemeyer (1 solo, 4 assists), Gene Bicket (1 solo, 4 assists), Lannin Caron (1 solo), Kolton Jany (7 assists), Alex Williamson (8 assists), Morgan Miers (2 assists), and TaShawn Palacio, Alex Blechle, Landon Conder, Jack Heffernan, Jakob Stueve, and Lincon Schroeder with 1 assist apiece. With the win, the YellowJackets improved to an overall record of 6-0 and a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record of 3-0. The Jackets lead the conference. Next up for Chester is a trip up north to Dupo, Illinois Friday October 11, to challenge the Tigers. Following the win at Carlyle, CHS Head Coach Billy Belton said, “That was a great team win! Cayden Brunkhorst made a great play with that fumble return for a touchdown. That is his second defensive TD of the year. The defense did a great job. They controlled the line of scrimmage all throughout the game. To hold a team like that under 100 yards (72) is a great job. The Defensive line did a great job, and I felt like our linebackers played extremely well.” Offensively we only had the ball for 31 plays. I credit Carlyle’s offense for keeping the ball away from our offense, however our offense made some big plays! Kolton Jany, Brenden Malley, and Devante Palacio really played well.” “Zain Al-Jassim had a great game. He broke Nick Meyer’s all-time passing record which is really neat since we all coached both of them. To witness that record-breaking performance was really neat to see. Zain is a great player and he has worked really hard for this.” Photo 1 Cayden Brunkhorst (3) Chester's Cayden Brunkhorst (3), a senior defensive back, picked up a Carlyle fumble in the first quarter and ran 75-yards for Chester's second touchdown of the night to extend the YellowJacket's lead to 13-0. Karim Landeros kicked the extra-point and Chester led, 14-0 early on. For the night Brunkhorst recorded 75 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 solo tackles, and 5 tackle assists. Jim Beers Photo Photo 2 Zain Al-Jassim (1) Chester YellowJacket quarterback Zain Al-Jassim (1) set a new school record Friday October 4 at Carlyle as the Jackets defeated the Indians in a shut out, 41-0. For the night Al-Jassim completed 13-of-15 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a 22-yard TD. In the process, Zain broke the school record for passing yards set years ago by Nick Meyer. Al-Jassim now had 3,957 passing yards with still three regular-season games left on the 2024 schedule. Jim Beers Photo

YellowJackets shut out Carlyle 41-0 to improve to 6-0, 3-0 (1 of 2) Quarterback Zain Al-Jassim sets new all-time CHS record for passing yards at 3,957 BY JIM BEERS The Chester High School Football YellowJackets continued their quest for a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division championship Friday October 4 with a shut out of the Carlyle Indians, 41-0. The event was played at Chester’s W.O. Smith Field in front of a faithful and excited packed house as the Jackets improved to an overall record of 6-0 and a Cahokia Conference record of 3-0, to remain undefeated. Chester dominated the game from the opening kick-off and held the Indians scoreless throughout the entire 48-minute game. To accomplish this goal the Jacket defense was relentless and the offense was efficient and productive. The Jackets scored consistently each quarter with a pair of touchdowns in both the first and second quarters, to lead, 28-0 at the halftime popcorn break. After the half, the Jackets added one touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters. Senior running back, Kolton Jany got things started in the first quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run. Karim Landeros, a sophomore kicker, knocked down the extra-point kick and the YellowJackets led, 7-0. The Jackets defense forced a Carlyle Indian fumble later in the first quarter at which time senior defensive back Cayden Brunkhorst recovered the fumble and raced 75-yards for Chester’s second touchdown. Karim Landeros drained his second extra-point to give the Jackets a 14-0 lead to close the first period. Senior wide receiver Devante Palacio got into the action in the second quarter and scored on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Zain Al-Jassim. Karim Landeros kicked his third extra-point and Chester led, 21-0. To finish the first half, quarterback Zain Al-Jassim took matters into his own hands and scored the Jacket’s fourth touchdown of the game on a 22-yard quarterback-keeper to extend Chester’s lead to 27-0. Karim Landeros remained perfect kicking extra-points and sealed his fourth of the night to give the YellowJackets a 28-0 advantage going into the locker room at halftime. Chester struck again in the third quarter, this time when senior Brenden Malley scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Zain Al-Jassim. That would be the Jacket’s fifth TD of the game. Karim Landeros kicked his fifth extra-point of the game also and the YellowJackets led, 35-0. That score would stand to end the 3 rd period. To cap off the Chester scoring Zain Al-Jassim found Devante Palacio for a 10-yard touchdown pass to extend the YellowJacket lead to 41 points. Karim Landeros attempted his 6 th extra-point for the evening, but the kick missed the mark. As the game clock ran out to end both the 4 th quarter and the game, Chester led, 41-0, to win the contest. Coming into the game, CHS quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim and Coach Billy Belton knew that Zain was well within striking distance of breaking the Chester High School Football record for all-time passing yards set years ago by Nick Meyer. In the win, Al-Jassim completed 13-of-15 passes for a total of 265 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. With his performance, Al-Jassim set a new CHS all-time passing record of 3,957 yards. The Jackets recorded a total of 367 yards, 265 passing and 102 rushing. The YellowJacket defense held Carlyle to 204 yards, 132 passing and just 72 running. Chester had 17 first downs vs 14 for the Indians. Chester committed just one turnover, an interception. Carlyle had one turnover also, a fumble. In the rushing category, the YellowJackets were led by Kolton Jany who ran five times for 31 yards and 1 touchdown. Devante Palacio ran twice for 23 yards. Other Chester runners included Zain Al-Jassim (1-22, 1 TD), Ethan Colvis (1-17), Alex Blechle (1-10), Justin Hayman (3-5), and Landen Conder (1-5). The Jackets had a great evening in the air. Chester recorded 265 passing yards led by Devante Palacio who caught 3 passes for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brenden Malley caught 6 passes for 77 yards and 1 TD. Other YellowJacket receivers included Kolton Jany (1-52), Ethan Colvis (1-26), Justin Hayman (1-10), and Cayden Brunkhorst (1-10). Chester’s defensive unit was stellar throughout the game, recording 23 solo tackles, 69 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 5 tackles for as loss. Senior Cayden Brunkhorst also recovered an Indian fumble and ran 75 yards for a YellowJacket touchdown.

CGS Classes took part in a Scarecrow Competition the last couple of weeks to bring in the Fall Season! Scarecrows had to be at least 36" tall and ready for display Friday, October 4 by 1:30 pm. We are asking the public to cast their votes for their FAVORITE Scarecrow! Votes can be submitted using the link provided. The scarecrow with the most votes will win its class a prize! https://forms.gle/KYTSXtdCjhU7JxiC8

👀Paraprofessional vacancies at both Grade School and High School. Also, High School Social Studies Teacher needed.

CHS ATHLETICS: On Saturday, October 26, 2024, Chester will host Waterloo High School for their final regular season football game. The theme of this game is Military Appreciation. Chester High School is selling T-shirts and Hoodies to go with the Military Appreciation theme. The proceeds from the T-shirts will be donated to a local veterans organization. Click on the link to order your T-shirt or Hoodie today!! Orders will close on October 10, 2024. chesterhsmilitarygame2024.itemorder.com