Chester School District is launching a long-term Strategic Plan, and your voice matters. As part of this process, we are conducting a Community Survey to gather valuable input from parents, employees, board members, and community members.
Your feedback will help guide our priorities, shape district goals, and strengthen the future of our schools.
📝 Please take a few minutes to complete the survey:
🔗 https://forms.gle/ZnSEDCqxxYnSjP1J8
📱 Or scan the QR code in the image attached to this post!
The survey is open to all stakeholders—including parents, staff, students, alumni, business owners, and residents who want to be part of shaping our future.
Thank you for being an important part of Chester CUSD 139’s continued growth and success.
#ChesterCUSD139 #StrategicPlanning #CommunityEngagement #YourVoiceMatters #TogetherWeGrow
We’re applying for a grant to help expand student supports like homework help, tutoring, and transportation for after-school programs. Your feedback will help us identify what families need most and strengthen our application.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey — your voice makes a difference! 💬
👉 https://forms.gle/drsjWREqT2oQsqzu5
Thank you for partnering with us to support our students’ success! 💙
Weekly “Special Teams” player of the week is sponsored by Korando Heating and Cooling, and “Practice Player of the Week” is sponsored by Knight Hawk Coal.
BY JIM BEERS
Chester High School Head Football Coach, Billy Belton, has announced his Week 11 “Special Teams” player of the week and his “Practice Players” of the week. This new program has been active weekly and sponsored by Korando Heating and Cooling of Chester, and Knight Hawk Coal, LLC.
Each week Belton and his staff select two players to be recognized and honored. The first award recognizes the best “Special Teams” player of the week and the second award recognizes the best “Practice Players” or “Scout Team” Players of the Week.
Belton is proud to announce award winners for Week 11 of the 2025 YellowJacket Football season.
Korando Heating and Cooling “Special Teams” Player of the Week: #3 Alex Blechle
Coach Belton said, “Alex led the Special Teams with a major tackle He also has a couple of good punt returns in the great win over Nashville. This is the 3rd time that Blechle has earned a Special Teams Player of the Week award. ”
“Knight Hawk Coal, LLC “Practice Players” of the Week: # 5 Gage Lynn, # 20 Donnie Sabo, #14 Landen Conder, # 10 Rhett Creason, & # 34 Ryker Hoffman
Coach Belton said, “These five boys did a fantastic job of recreating the offense on the Scout Team. There efforts helped the varsity plan for their defense in our latest win!”
Each of the weekly award winners received a special T-shirt provided by the two sponsors. Korando Heating and Cooling and Knight Hawk Coal, LLC have stepped up to be the 2025 sponsors of the “Special Teams” and “Practice Player” of the Week Awards for Chester Football.
Coach Belton stated, “I would like to give a special THANK YOU to Korando Heating and Cooling and Knight Hawk Coal, LLC for sponsoring our “Special Teams Player of the Week” program and our “Practice Player of the Week” program.
The awards for Week 11 were announced and presented Friday October 31 at the weekly team meeting and supper in the CHS Football Offices. This presentation is a weekly event following the Friday afternoon “Run-Through” practice in preparation for the Saturday November 1st Round Playoff game against Maroa-Forsyth. Congratulations Alex Blechle, Gage Lynn, Donnie Sabo, Lannin Conder, Rhett Creason, and Ryker Hoffman for being the Week 11 award winners!
PHOTO 1 Alex Blechle SPECIAL TEAMS
Alex Blechle earned the Week 11 Special Teams Player of the Week. This was his 3rd Special Teams recognition this season. Blechle made a major tackle in the great win over Nashville last week. He also had a couple of good punt returns to help his team beat Nashville, 29-19.
PHOTO 2 Practice Players of the Week 11
This week there were five YellowJacket players recognized as Practice Players of the Week including (left to right) Gage Lynn, Donnie Sabo, Lannin Conder, Ryker Hoffman, Rhett Creason. These five players did a great job re-creating the offense of the YellowJacket's opponent. Their efforts helped the varsity squad prepare for their game.
The Chester High School October Students of the Month are (left to right) Lucas Buskirk, Kingston Turner, Devin Neal, Addison Gottschammer, Peyton Dickson, and Annah Helvey Ahring. The Student of the Month Program is coordinated by teachers, Jackie Clendenin, Social Studies and Brittany Mueller, Science. Jim Beers Photo
CHS FREE FOOTBALL BROADCAST
Today, Chester High School will host our multiplatform football game broadcast, streaming simultaneously on Hudl, YouTube, and Facebook. For your convenience, QR codes are included in the attached graphics, and the links are provided below. We invite you to join us for this exciting event!
Go Jackets!
Hudl: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/chester/organization/14289/chester-high-school
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChesterHighSchoolIL
Facebook: Chester Community Unit School Dist No 139
In the event of any issues with the Facebook Live feed, we encourage you to utilize one of the alternative platforms available. Thank you for your understanding.
TRANSMISIÓN GRATUITA DEL PARTIDO DE FÚTBOL AMERICANO DE CHS
Hoy, la Preparatoria Chester transmitirá su partido de fútbol americano en múltiples plataformas, simultáneamente en Hudl, YouTube y Facebook. Para su comodidad, encontrará códigos QR en las imágenes adjuntas y los enlaces a continuación. ¡Los invitamos a unirse a este emocionante evento!
¡Vamos, Jackets!
Hudl: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/chester/organization/14289/chester-high-school
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChesterHighSchoolIL
Facebook: Chester Community Unit School Dist No 139
En caso de tener algún problema con la transmisión en vivo de Facebook, les recomendamos utilizar alguna de las plataformas alternativas disponibles. Gracias por su comprensión.
CHS FREE FOOTBALL BROADCAST
Today, Chester High School will host our multiplatform football game broadcast, streaming simultaneously on Hudl, YouTube, and Facebook. For your convenience, QR codes are included in the attached graphics, and the links are provided below. We invite you to join us for this exciting event!
Go Jackets!
Hudl: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/chester/organization/14289/chester-high-school
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChesterHighSchoolIL
Facebook: Chester Community Unit School Dist No 139
In the event of any issues with the Facebook Live feed, we encourage you to utilize one of the alternative platforms available. Thank you for your understanding.
TRANSMISIÓN GRATUITA DEL PARTIDO DE FÚTBOL AMERICANO DE CHS
Hoy, la Preparatoria Chester transmitirá su partido de fútbol americano en múltiples plataformas, simultáneamente en Hudl, YouTube y Facebook. Para su comodidad, encontrará códigos QR en las imágenes adjuntas y los enlaces a continuación. ¡Los invitamos a unirse a este emocionante evento!
¡Vamos, Jackets!
Hudl: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/chester/organization/14289/chester-high-school
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChesterHighSchoolIL
Facebook: Chester Community Unit School Dist No 139
En caso de tener algún problema con la transmisión en vivo de Facebook, les recomendamos utilizar alguna de las plataformas alternativas disponibles. Gracias por su comprensión.
CHS: RALLY UP- LETS CAN HUNGER! FOOD DRIVE TODAY
Chester High School is sponsoring a Rally Up - Lets Can Hunger! Food Drive, supporting our Just 4 Jackets program. We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors: Dairy Queen of Chester, Buena Vista National Bank, and Silkworm for supporting this incredible cause. Our goal is to collect 1,000 items and fill our grandstands with waving white towels, cheering us on to victory!
Bring your Food Donations to the Main Entry Gate on the Home Side of W.O. Smith Field, in exchange the first 600 contributors will be given a White Commemorative Rally Towel.
Thank you for your support! Go Jackets!
CHS: ¡UNÁMONOS PARA COMBATIR EL HAMBRE! RECOGIDA DE ALIMENTOS
La Escuela Secundaria Chester está organizando una campaña de recogida de alimentos llamada "¡Unámonos para Compatibilidades! ¡Combatamos el Hambre!", en apoyo a nuestro programa "Just 4 Jackets". Agradecemos sinceramente a nuestros generosos patrocinadores: Dairy Queen of Chester, Buena Vista National Bank y Silkworm por apoyar esta noble causa. Nuestra meta es recolectar 1000 artículos y llenar las gradas con toallas blancas ondeando, ¡animándonos hacia la victoria!
Traiga sus donaciones de alimentos a la entrada principal del lado local del campo W.O. Smith. A cambio, los primeros 600 donantes recibirán una toalla blanca conmemorativa.
¡Gracias por su apoyo! ¡Vamos Jackets!
Chester High School is sponsoring a Rally Up - Lets Can Hunger! Food Drive, supporting our Just 4 Jackets program. We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors: Dairy Queen of Chester, Buena Vista National Bank, and Silkworm for supporting this incredible cause. Our goal is to collect 1,000 items and fill our grandstands with waving white towels, cheering us on to victory!
Bring your Food Donations to the Main Entry Gate on the Home Side of W.O. Smith Field, in exchange the first 600 contributors will be given a White Commemorative Rally Towel.
Thank you for your support! Go Jackets!
CHS: ¡UNÁMONOS PARA COMBATIR EL HAMBRE! RECOGIDA DE ALIMENTOS
La Escuela Secundaria Chester está organizando una campaña de recogida de alimentos llamada "¡Unámonos para Compatibilidades! ¡Combatamos el Hambre!", en apoyo a nuestro programa "Just 4 Jackets". Agradecemos sinceramente a nuestros generosos patrocinadores: Dairy Queen of Chester, Buena Vista National Bank y Silkworm por apoyar esta noble causa. Nuestra meta es recolectar 1000 artículos y llenar las gradas con toallas blancas ondeando, ¡animándonos hacia la victoria!
Traiga sus donaciones de alimentos a la entrada principal del lado local del campo W.O. Smith. A cambio, los primeros 600 donantes recibirán una toalla blanca conmemorativa.
¡Gracias por su apoyo! ¡Vamos Jackets!
The Chester High School Football Program and Coach Belton would like to thank Coach Lee, the Carbondale High School Administration, and their Football Program for the use of their turf field during the wet weather conditions. We appreciate the use of your facility and your hospitality!
El equipo de fútbol americano de la escuela secundaria Chester agradece a la escuela preparatoria Carbondale.
El programa de fútbol americano de la escuela preparatoria Chester y el entrenador Belton agradecen al entrenador Lee, a la administración de la escuela preparatoria Carbondale y a su programa de fútbol americano por permitirnos usar su campo de césped sintético durante las lluvias. ¡Agradecemos mucho el uso de sus instalaciones y su hospitalidad!
The Chester Early Childhood Center, Chester Grade School and Chester High School network issues have been resolved. Both internet and phone service has been restored. Thank you for your patience.
Servicio de internet y telefonía restablecido en CECC, CGS y CHS
Los problemas de red en el Centro de Educación Infantil de Chester, la Escuela Primaria de Chester y la Escuela Secundaria de Chester se han solucionado. El servicio de internet y telefonía se ha restablecido. Gracias por su paciencia.
CECC, CGS & CHS INTERNET AND PHONE ISSUES
The Chester Early Childhood Center, Chester Grade School and Chester High School are currently experiencing internet connectivity issues which also impacts our phone system. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are addressing the situation. We appreciate your patience while the issues are being resolved. Thank you.
PROBLEMAS DE INTERNET Y TELÉFONO EN CECC, CGS Y CHS
El Centro de Educación Infantil de Chester, la Escuela Primaria de Chester y la Escuela Secundaria de Chester están experimentando problemas de conexión a internet que también afectan a nuestro sistema telefónico. Pedimos disculpas por las molestias y estamos trabajando para solucionar el problema. Agradecemos su paciencia mientras resolvemos los problemas. Gracias.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO2qrg_gj-mINvpgy81eaG4Qe8_fmeSGeWY12TGrTWQswqAg/viewform?usp=dialog
CHS WINTER PICTURE DAY
On Friday, November 7th, Iconik Studios will be here to take winter pictures. It is an 11:30 dismissal day. We will be taking Senior Tux and Drape photos and portrait retakes from the first day of school. After those photos are finished, we will be taking winter sports pictures (boys and girls basketball and winter cheer and dance).
DÍA DE FOTOS DE INVIERNO DE CHS
El viernes 7 de noviembre, Iconik Studios estará aquí para tomar fotos de invierno. La salida es a las 11:30. Tomaremos fotos de los alumnos de último año con esmoquin y toga, y repetiremos los retratos del primer día de clases. Después de esas fotos, tomaremos fotos de los equipos de deportes de invierno (baloncesto masculino y femenino, porristas y baile).
CHS: FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
Admission Fees: The Playoff ticket prices have been set by the IHSA Board of Directors.
Pricing for all individuals is $8.00 per person. The only exception, a baby in arms is free.
No entry passes are accepted for the IHSA Playoff Games.
Season ticket holders will have their reserved seat, but be required to pay the $8 entry fee.
Gates will open at 11:30 AM for a 1:00 PM kickoff. GO JACKETS!
CHS: INFORMACIÓN SOBRE LAS ADMISIONES PARA LOS PLAYOFFS DE FÚTBOL AMERICANO
Precios de entrada: Los precios de las entradas para los playoffs han sido fijados por la Junta Directiva de la IHSA.
El precio para todos es de $8.00 por persona. La única excepción es la entrada gratuita para bebés en brazos.
No se aceptan pases de entrada para los partidos de los playoffs de la IHSA.
Los abonados tendrán su asiento reservado, pero deberán pagar la entrada de $8.
Las puertas abrirán a las 11:30 a. m. para el partido que comenzará a la 1:00 p. m. ¡VAMOS JACKETS!
CHS: FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS SHIRTS
Chester Yellow Jacket Playoff Shirts will be available for pickup Thursday, October 30th, after school from 3:10pm-6:00pm in the Professor Sharp Cafeteria. Go Jackets!
No. 8 Chester will host No. 9 Maroa-Forsyth Saturday November 1 at 1 p.m.
BY JIM BEERS
The 2025 regular season is complete and the IHSA has announced the 32 team bracket for the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff bracket. The bracket is broken into a northern 16 team upper bracket and a southern 16 team lower bracket.
Chester High School was selected to compete in the 16 team lower southern bracket and will host a home game this Saturday November 1. The No 8 seed YellowJackets will host the No. 9 seed Maroa-Forsyth Trojans at 1 p.m. at W.O. Smith Fie3ld at Chester High School.
The Trojans are no strangers to the YellowJackets as they faced Maroa-Forsyth last year in the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A Playoffs. After beating Westville in Round 1, 40-35 at Chester, the Jackets traveled to Maroa, Illinois to face the Trojans, losing 28-7.
In 2023, Chester lost to Red Bud in Round 1 of the playoffs in a nail-biter that went down to the final seconds when the Musketeers scored a fairy tale touchdown in the cold, wet, rainy, and windy conditions to steal the win and eliminate the YellowJackets from the 2023 State Tournament.
In 2022 the YellowJackets lost in the first round of the playoffs on the road to the Decatur St. Teresa Bulldogs, 49-0. The Bulldogs were the team to beat that year and the Jackets struggled in that contest.
In 2021, the YellowJackets lost on the road at Vandalia in the first round of the Class 2A State Playoffs to the Vandalia Vandals, 24-0.
Chester enters the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football playoffs with an overall record of 8-1. The YellowJackets also bring with them an undefeated 5-0 record and a conference title in the 2025 Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division. Chester is seeded No. 8 in the southern bracket, and will host No. 9 Maroa-Forsyth.
Southern Bracket pairings
Johnston City (9-0) vs (16) Trenton-Wesclin (5-4)
(8) Chester (8-1) vs (9) Maroa-Forsyth (7-2)
(4) Flora (8-1) vs (13) Nashville (5-4)
(5) Pana (8-1) vs (12) Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin) (6-3)
(2) Westville (9-0) vs (15) Shelbyville (5-4)
(7) DuQuoin (8-1) vs (10) Carlinville (7-2)
(3) Arthur (A.-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond) (9-0) vs Marshall (5-4)
(6) Toledo (Cumberland) (8-1) vs (11) Sullivan (7-2)
Northern Bracket Pairings
Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) (9-0) vs (16) Carthage (Illini West) (5-4)
(8) Chicago (Richards) (7-2) vs (9) Downs (Tri-Valley) (7-2)
(4) Seneca (9-0) vs (13) Port Byron (Riverdale) (6-3)
(5) Wilmington (8-1) vs (12) Hamilton (West Hancock Coop) (6-3)
(2) El Paso (Gridley vs (15) Chicago (Marshall Coop) (5-4)
(7) Sterling (Newton Central Catholic) (7-2) vs (10) Colfax (Ridgeview Coop) (7-2)
(3) Farmington (9-0) vs (14) Lanark (Eastland-Pearl City Coop) (5-4)
(6) Aurora (Christian) (7-2) vs (11) Erie (Prophetstown Coop) (6-3)
Jackets will host Maroa-Forsyth in 1st Round of 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs Saturday November 1 at 1 p.m.
BY JIM BEERS
In the passing category, Chester had nine receptions for 206 yards and one touchdown. TaShawn Palacio led with four receptions for 106 yards, and 1 touchdown. Alex Blechle had three receptions for 71 yards. Ethan Colvis caught one pass for 26 yards. Trey McCartney had one reception for three yards. Nashville had 11 receptions for a total of 217 yards and one touchdown. The Hornets were led by Brantley Kozuszek who had four catches for a total of 82 yards and Nashville’s only receiving touchdown.
The YellowJackets had a good defensive game with 26 solo tackles, 38 tackle assists, 2 quarterback sacks, and five tackles for a loss (TFL). Ethan Colvis led the defense with 5 solos, 7 assists, 1 sack, and 2 tackles for a loss. Danny Worley followed with 5 solos and 1 assist. Alex Blechle recorded 3 solos and 3 assists. Derrius Shoemate had 3 solos and 4 assists. Tray Peters had 2 solos. TaShawn Palacio recorded 2 solos and 4 assists. Trey McCartney recorded 1 solo, 1 assist, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Other defensive contributors to the win included Kanon Jany (1 solo and 7 assists); Morgan Miers (1 solo, 5 assists, and 1 TFL); Isaac Sims (1 solo and 1 assist; Ryker Hoffman (1 solo and 1 assist); Karim Landeros (1 solo, 1 assist, 1 quarterback sack, and 1 TFL); Zane Eggemeyer (1 assist); and Brayden Juenger (2 assists). Nashville recorded 27 solo tackles, 38 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 2 tackles for a loss (TFL).
Other Chester defensive standouts included Derrius Shoemate 1 interception and return for a touchdown; TaShawn Palacio two interceptions; and Alex Blechle 1 fumble recovery.
Coach Billy Belton said, “On offense, TaShawn Palacio had another big day. He went over 100 yards receiving (106) with one touchdown. Tray Peters played really well. Alex Blechle and Ethan Colvis really ran the ball well. The offensive line did a great job. We played well against a really good Nashville team!”
In closing, Belton said, “I would like to thank the fans for showing up and being loud. W.O. Smith Field has been ‘loud as can be’ the last two home games. I hope to see everyone this Saturday when we take on Maroa-Forsythe!”
The YellowJackets will open post-season play this Saturday November 1. No. 8 Chester hosts No. 9 Maroa-Forsythe at 1 p.m. at W.O. Smith Field in Chester, in the 2025 IHSA Class 2A Football Playoffs.
PHOTO 1 Ethan Colvis
Ethan Colvis #25, a 6'1", 195 Lb., senior running back and defensive standout scored Chester's final touchdown of the game against Nashville Friday October 24. His effort sealed the win giving the YellowJackets a 10-point advantage, 29-19, with just minutes left to play. Colvis also led the defense with 54 solo tackles, 7 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 2 tackles for a loss. With the win, the Jackets finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 8-1. They also won the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division championship with an undefeated, 5-0 record. Cheser hosts Maroa-Forsyth Saturday November 1 at 1 p.m. in Round 1 of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs. Jim Bees Photo
PHOTO 2 TaShawn Palacio
TaShawn Palacio #11, a 6'0", 185 Lb. junior Wide receiver and defensive back, scored Chester's first touchdown of the game Friday October 24 when Chester hosted Nashville. Palacio caught a 27-yard pass from quarterback Tray Peters and ran for the TD to give CHS a 6-0 advantage, Karim Landeros kicked the extra point, and the Jackets started the game, 7-0. In th win Palacio had 4 receptions for 106 yards, and 1 touchdown. He also ran 4 times for 24 yards. On defense, TaShawn had 2 solo tackles and 4 tackle assists. He also had 2 huge interceptions. His efforts helped CHS beat Nashville, 29-19. Jim Beers Photo
