Chester Community School District 139

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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

CHS FOOTBALL: CHS Football would like to thank Domino's of Chester for the free pizzas for the team after winning games!! It is appreciated!

Chester Boys Golf Team wins 2024 IHSA 1A Regional Championship (2 of 2) YellowJackets advance to 2024 IHSA Sectional Tournament for the first time in school history; Trevin Eggemeyer finishes 4 th overall to earn Top-5 Medal BY JIM BEERS The 2024 IHSA Class 1A Sectional Golf Tournament will take place Monday October 7 th at the Franklin County Country Club site. It being hosted by Zeigler-Royalton. Participating teams from the following four regionals will converge to the sectional match including Carlyle Regional, Cobden Regional, Effingham St. Anthony Regional, and the Mt. Olive Regional. From the Sectional Tournaments, advancing teams will compete at the 2024 IHSA State Golf Tournament to be held at the Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Illinois on Friday and Saturday October 18-19. The 2024 Chester High School Varsity Boys Golf Team won the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Cobden Regional Golf Tournament Wednesday October 1 at the Union County Country Club Golf Course. The Jackets finished 1st out of a field of 14 teams with a total of 83 golfers. With the win, the YellowJackets became the only Boys Golf Team in school history to win a Regional title. Chester's Trevin Eggemeyer earned a Top-5 golfer award for his performance of recording an 18-hole round of golf of 81. That score also earned him a medalist medal. He finished 4th overall out of a field of 83 golfers. Other CHS golfer scores include Tallen James (83, Noah Homan (87), Evan Dunning (89), Max Blechle (107), and Kross Jany (111)_. The YellowJacket score also earned them a trip to the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Sectional Golf Tournament Monday October 7th. Pictured with their Regional Tournament Plaque are the members of the CHS Golf Team, including (left to right) Tony James, Assistant Coach; Kross Jany, Tallen James, Evan Dunning, Trevin Eggemeyer, Max Blechle, and Head Coach, Jaden Mott. Not pictured: Paul Zemlyn, Assistant Coach. PHOTO 2 Senior Golfers with plaque Chester High School senior golfers proudly display the 1st Place Championship plaque that the boys team won Wednesday October 2 at the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Regional Golf Tournament. The boys placed 1st with their team score of 340 strokes. With the win, the YellowJacket Boys became the first team in CHS history to win a regional tournament. Holding the Championship plaque are (left to right) Noah Homan, Evan Dunning, and Max Blechle. Photo by Christy James Photo 3 Team arrives A very proud and happy Head Boys Golf Coach, Jaden Mott, arrives in town Wednesday evening after winning the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Regional Golf Tournament. Mott is driving the District 139 van carrying the victorious YellowJacket Golf Team. Jim Beers Photo PHOTO 4 Fire Truck Escort The Chester Fire Department gave the Regional Champion CHS Boys Golf Team into town Wednesday after they traveled home from the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Regional Golf Tournament. Red lights and siren blaring, the golfers and a parade of parents and other well-wishers drove through the City of Chester celebrating the first ever Boys Golf Regional Championship. Jim Beers Photo PHOTO 5 Golf Parade thru town At precisely 6 P.M. Wednesday October 2 the Chester Fire Department truck led a parent and player parade into town. This act was to celebrate the CHS Boys Golf Team as they arrived home after winning the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Golf Regional Tournament. The event was at the Union County Country Club Golf Course in Cobden. The parade took up most of State Street in front of the Glister Mary-Lee plant in Chester. Jim Beers Photo

Chester Boys Golf Team wins 2024 IHSA 1A Regional Championship (1 of 2) YellowJackets advance to 2024 IHSA Sectional Tournament for the first time in school history; Trevin Eggemeyer finishes 4 th overall to earn Top-5 Medal BY JIM BEERS On Wednesday October 2 the Chester High School Boys Golf Team traveled to the IHSA Class 1A Regional Golf Tournament at the Union County Country Club Golf Course in Cobden, Illinois. The YellowJackets made school history by becoming the first Boys Team at CHS to ever win a Regional Golf Tournament. The 18-hole tournament featured 14 teams from across Southern Illinois and the Chester YellowJackets finished in 1 st Place to become the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Regional Champions. Teams were allowed to have a maximum of six golfers. All but one of the 14 teams had six golfers. The other one had five golfers for a total of 83 competitors. Team scores were calculated by adding the top 4 golfer’s scores. If there were ties, the tie-breaker was determined by going to the 5 th golfer’s score. The best score between the 5 th golfers broke the tie and his team was awarded the higher placement in the overall team rankings. The CHS Varsity YellowJackets that competed at Regionals include seniors Max Blechle, Evan Dunning, and Noah Homan, as well as sophomores Trevin Eggemeyer, Tallen James, and Kross Jany. The YellowJackets are coached by Head Coach, Jaden Mott. He is assisted by Paul Zemlyn and Tony James. The Jackets were led in their quest for the Championship by sophomore Trevin Eggemeyer who shot 43 for the first nine holes and 38 for the back nine, for a total of 81 strokes. He finished 4 th overall out of the field of 83 golfers and earned a top-5 medalist award (medal). Chester’s next best score was from sophomore Tallen James who recorded a score of 42 on the front half and 41 on the back half for a total of 83 strokes. The 3 rd best Jacket score came from senior Noah Homan. He had a score of 43 on the first nine holes and 44 on the second nine holes, for a total of 87 strokes. The final top-4 YellowJacket finisher was Evan Dunning, a senior. Dunning shot 47 on the first half and 42 on the second half for a total of 89 strokes for the 18-hole match. The Top-4 Chester golfer’s scores were combined to make the winning team total of 340 strokes. The other two Jacket teammates included senior Max Blechle and sophomore Kross Jany. Blechle recorded a score of 53 on the first nine holes and 54 on the second nine for a total of 107 strokes. Jany shot 55 on the front half and 56 on the second half for a total of 111 Strokes. For their efforts, the Chester YellowJackets earned the title of 2024 Regional Champions. With this title is the honor of advancing to the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Sectional Golf Tournament as a team. Team finishes and scores include the following: 1st Chester * 340 2nd Waltonville * 347 3rd Trico * 363 Tie 3rd Steeleville 363 Tie 5th Zeigler-Royalton 371 Tie 5th Junction City (Gallatin Co.) 371 Tie 7th Vienna 372 8th Johnston City 385 9th Eldorado 388 10th Woodlawn 410 11th West Frankfort 413 12th Cobden 435 Tie 12th Goreville 435 Tie 14th Elizabethtown (Hardin Co.) 459 Note* The Top-3 teams automatically qualified to advance to the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Sectional Golf Tournament to be held at Zeigler-Royalton. Those teams include No.1 Chester, No.2 Waltonville, and No.3 Trico. Steeleville and Trico tied for 3 rd and broke the tie by comparing the 5 th golfers on both teams. The better score broke the tie and earned the better finish. Trico won the comparison. Medalists: The top-5 golfers earned medalist honors and received a medal for their performances. Those Top-5 golfers included: 1. Chase Cole 76 Zeigler-Royalton 2. Grayson Wilson 77 Junction (Gallatin County) 3. Bronson Tippett 79 Eldorado 4. Trevin Eggemeyer 81 Chester 5. Brendan Klinger 81 Waltonville Automatic Qualifiers to Sectionals: The Top-3 finishers in the team rankings automatically qualified to advance to the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Sectional Golf Tournament. Those Top-3 include: 1. Chester 340 2. Waltonville 347 3. Trico 363 Tie Individuals advancing to Sectionals: The Top-10 individuals, after the Top-3 teams were removed from the standings, also advance to the Sectional Tournament. Those Top-10 individuals include: 1. Chase Cole 76 Zeigler-Royalton 2. Grayson Wilson 77 Junction (Gallatin Co.) 3. Bronson Trippett 79 Eldorado 4. Sean Crabb 84 Vienna 5. Thacker Fromm 88 Junction (Gallatin Co.) 6. Evan Goforth 89 West Frankfort 7. Braden Middendorf 89 Steeleville 8. Caleb Gaddis 89 Vienna 9. Canon Ruby 91 Steeleville 10. Tyler Ingles 91 Steeleville