Chester Community School District 139

Join us for a fantastic basket raffle organized by our Chester Grade School PTS on this Thursday, December 12th! Baskets will be displayed in the CHS Sharp Cafeteria starting at 5:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased both before and after the 1st - 4th Grade Christmas Program! For additional details, please refer to the flier. Thank you for your continued support of the CGS PTS!

CHS: PBIS CELEBRATION  The Chester High School students and staff had a great opportunity to celebrate the positive changes PBIS has fostered in our school.  We look forward to the continued success and growth with the clarity that positive expectations bring. https://youtu.be/3h8YlqxFX2k

CHS: PBIS CELEBRATION CHS is proud to announce that today will be our 2nd PBIS Celebration Day where we celebrate the improvements and gains driven by the PBIS program. There will be a variety of activities including: trivia in the Professor Sharp Cafeteria, video games and tabletop games in the Professor Sharp Media Center supported by our E-Sports team, culminating in our Holiday Themed Games Assembly in Colbert Gym where all students will have chances to participate in our epic Holiday relay with opportunities to win amazing prizes. There are rumored to be expected appearances of surprise Holiday characters.

CGS & CHS 12/06/24 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT: Friday 12/6/24 is an 11:30am Dismissal for School Improvement Bus Drop Off & Parent Pick-Up Times Adjust NO Jacket Care on 11:30am dismissal days.

CHS FAFSA NIGHT ADDITION (SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL & CHEER) Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict of an evening basketball game in Du Quoin, Chester High School Student Services has arranged for an ISAC representative from Rend Lake College to assist those Senior parents in filling out the FAFSA prior to leaving for the game. Today, Wednesday 12/4/24, at 3:15 in Mrs. Durbin's Computer Lab room 228, parents of Senior basketball players and cheerleaders will be afforded the opportunity to receive help with their FAFSA. Remember FAFSA is an Illinois State Mandate for graduation. The school FAFSA meeting is not mandated, but this is a services that CHS is providing in helping all senior parents meet this important graduation requirement. Please bring taxes, student taxes, FAFSA ID's, and a cell phone to receive confirmation messages. Any questions, please contact the School Counselor, Casey Hawkins at extension 2209 or caseyhawkins@chester139.com.

CHS ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS Congratulations CHS Illinois State Scholars Rylie Conley Beatriz Deguzman John Heffernan Whitney Sulser William Welge To be eligible for the Illinois State Scholar Program, students must meet the following requirements: Perform in the top one-half of your high school class at the end of the third semester prior to graduation*, and/or score at or above the 95th percentile on the ACT or SAT. Graduate from high school during the academic year in which you were selected as a State Scholar.

CHS POEM OF THE MONTH December poetry winners!

CHS POEM OF THE MONTH November poetry winners!

CHS SENIORS FAFSA NIGHT Wednesday, December 4th 5:00-7:30 pm CHS C228 Computer Lab (off of Colbert Gym next to Professor Sharp Media Center) Enter through Professor Sharp Cafeteria All graduating seniors with a parent should plan on attending, Student and parent should both have a FAFSA ID, prior to attending FAFSA night, last years taxes, and cell phones to receive verification messages. Seniors who plan to sign a FAFSA non-participation form, should also attend with a parent. Completing the FAFSA or a FAFSA non-participation form is an Illinois mandate for high school graduation.

CHS: PBIS STUDENTS OF THE MONTH November: We show PERSEVERANCE Perseverance- Continuing a good course of action despite difficulty. Lily Dowdy ”Lily has shown perseverance by digging deep down within herself to press forward to overcome obstacles and hardships. She is coming out of her shell and interacting more with teachers and students.” Evelyn Hankins Moises Felix Sebastian ”I believe Felix faces one of the biggest challenges here: the language barrier. Despite not speaking English, he is determined to learn, graduate, and become a police officer. His perseverance earns my vote.” Mert Dinç Ryan Junger ”Ryan shows us how to keep going even when faced with a difficult diagnosis. ” Dina Chandler Peyton Dickson ”She works with me through the School program. She has literally saved me a few times. She has grown tremendously as far as getting her work finished and always helping and asking if anyone needs help.” Kay Rubach Olivia Vasquez ”Olivia is such a hard-working student. She works really hard to do her best and achieve good grades. I'm very proud of her and admire her for all the hard work she puts into her education.” Shirley Stegmann Lannin Caron ”Lannin has shown many times the determination and perseverance it takes to be a successful student and person. He has fought his way this year through numerous ailments with grace and determination.” Tim Lochhead Kale Sprengel ”This student is very kind and respectful towards staff and students. He is also a very hard worker.” Bryce Bainter Southern LaChance ”Despite dealing with some tough situations Southern always strives to do her best to reach her goals. She works hard to make sure she completes tasks to the best of her ability!” Ashly Bert

Dear Chester CUSD 139: Please be very cautious and mindful of temperatures when arriving at school this evening and morning. Some areas could be slick. Please dress appropriately for the weather with coats, hats, gloves, etc. for the temperatures outside.

Check out the CGS Christmas Programs coming up over the next couple of weeks!

Voting has now opened for December CGS Faculty Member of the Month! Voting will be open NOW until December 20th at 3 pm. Access the voting form below or on the Chester139 Website! https://forms.gle/4Gg7EEZRnHKT9BtJ9

Congratulations to our FOUR awesome CGS Paraprofessionals who were voted and tied for November Faculty Members of the Month!

CHS SENIORS FAFSA NIGHT CHS C228 Computer Lab Wednesday, December 4th 5:00-7:30 pm All graduating seniors with a parent should plan on attending, Student and parent should both have a FAFSA ID, prior to attending FAFSA night, last years taxes, and cell phones to receive verification messages. Seniors who plan to sign a FAFSA non-participation form, should also attend with a parent. Completing the FAFSA or a FAFSA non-participation form is an Illinois mandate for high school graduation.

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27th is an early dismissal day with CHS dismissing at 1:26pm and CGS at 1:30pm. There is no school November 28th and 29th. Happy Thanksgiving!

CHS SENIORS FAFSA NIGHT (CORRECTION) CHS C228 Computer Lab Wednesday, December 4th 5:00-7:30 pm All graduating seniors with a parent should plan on attending, Student and parent should both have a FAFSA ID, prior to attending FAFSA night, last years taxes, and cell phones to receive verification messages. Seniors who plan to sign a FAFSA non-participation form, should also attend WITH a parent. Completing the FAFSA or a FAFSA non-participation form is an Illinois mandate for high school graduation.

Red Bud goes undefeated to win 2024 Sparta Invitational Tournament Chester’s Lexi Mott is MVP and Chester’s Jessica Stumpe makes “All-Tournament Team” BY JIM BEERS A long first week of basketball is over and the final results are in! The Red Bud Lady Musketeers went 4-0 in the 4-game event to win the title of “2024 Sparta Invitational Tournament Champion.” Two players from each team were selected for the “2024 All-Tournament Team” and Chester’s Lexi Mott was chosen for the honorable and prestigious position as 2024 Most Valuable Player (MVP). Chester’s Jessica Stumpe made the 2024 “All-Tournament Team”. The 2024 tournament featured Red Bud, Chester, Trico, Sparta, and Steeleville. New Athens was originally going to be in the tournament but had to withdraw at the last minute. The event was then modified to be a round-robin tournament. Each team played the other four teams in a 4-game competition. TOURNAMENT RESULTS Monday November 18 Game 1: Red Bud 36 - Chester 31 Game 2: Sparta 47 - Steeleville 45 Tuesday November 19 Game 1: Red Bud 37 - Steeleville 28 Game 2: Sparta 41 - Trico 36 Wednesday November 20 Game 1: Red Bud 41 - Trico 22 Game 2: Chester 76 - Steeleville 71 NO GAMES THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 Friday November 22 Game 1: Trico 48 - Steeleville 31 Game 2: Chester 52 - Sparta 44 Saturday November 23 (Final Day) Game 1: Red Bud 44 - Sparta 32 Game 2: Trico 54 - Chester 45 FINAL STANDINGS 1st Place Red Bud 4-0 2nd (Tie) Chester 2-2 2nd (Tie) Sparta 2-2 2nd (Tie) Trico 2-2 5th Place Steeleville 0-4 2024 Sparta Invitational “All-Tournament Team Lexi Mott, Chester (MVP) Jessica Stumpe, Chester Jeda Friess, Red Bud Talia Carter, Red Bud Kenzie Pierce, Sparta Sierra Starr, Sparta Hayleigh Franklin, Trico Greta Jones, Trico Rylan Reis, Steeleville Audrey Gladson, Steeleville The Chester High School Lady Jackets will continue their 2024-2025 season next week with two games, one away and one at home. Monday November 25 Chester will travel to Johnston City to take on the Lady Indians. JV will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. with Varsity to follow at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday November 26 the Lady Jackets will host the Valle High School Lady Warriors from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri in their home opener. It will be a Varsity game only starting at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held in Chester High School’s Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. Photo 1 All-Tournament Team The 2024 Sparta Invitational All-Tournament Team is pictured here (left to right) Jada Friess, Red Bud, Talia Carter, Red Bud, Hayleigh Franklin, Trico, Kenzie Pierce, Sparta, Rylan Reiss, Steeleville, Jessica Stumpe, Chester, Sierra Starr, Sparta, Greta Jones, Trico, and Lexi Mott, Chester, Most Valuable Player (MVP). Not present: Audrey Gladson, Steeleville. Jenny Stumpe Photo Photo 2 Stumpe and Mott Pictured are Chester Lady Jackets Jessica Stumpe (left) and Lexi Mott (right). Stumpe was selected to the 2024 Sparta Invitational Lady Bulldog Tournament "All-Tournament" Team. Mott was selected for the prestigious position of "Most Valuable Player" of the 2024 Sparta Invitational Lady Bulldog Tournament. Jeff Mott Photo

CHS: CCSI CANCELED WEDNESDAY 11/27/24 CHS CCSI Students are required to report to CHS by 10:43am.

Veteran’s Day Ceremony in Chester is well attended (2 of 2) Large crowd enjoys ceremony and delicious FREE lunch BY JIM BEERS Another very meaningful portion of any major patriotic ceremony is the “Salute to Departed Veterans” at which time a firing squad conduces a 21-gun salute to honor departed veterans. A combined V.F.W. and American Legion Firing Squad of seven men went outside on the sidewalk of the V.F.W. and fired three volleys of seven rifle shots. Immediately following the Salute, Chester High School sophomore trumpet player, Kendall Nanney, played “TAPS” to close the ceremony. It was Nanney’s first time to play such an event and she did an amazing job playing with clarity, volume, and accuracy. The 2024 Veteran’s Day Ceremony concluded with a fitting Benediction by Rev. Dr. Mike Fogerson of the First Baptist Church of Chester. A FREE luncheon consisting of Jumbo Hot Dogs, Sloppy Joes, Chips, and a variety of soft drinks was enjoyed by most in attendance. It was a wonderful time of food, fellowship, and taking quality time to visit with local veterans on their special day. Photo 1 Chester Veteran's Day guest speaker, Lt. Colonel Mark Sedwrick, a 12-year Coast Guard Veteran and 29-year Army Veteran addresses a large crowd Monday November 11 at the Chester V.F.W. Jim Bers Photo Photo 2 Chester V.F.W. Post 3553 Commander, Bryan Childs, welcomes a large crowd at the 2024 Veretan's Day Ceremony held at the Chester V.F.W. Jim Beers Photo Photo 3 Commander Randy Werner of Cheser American Legion Post 487 provides remarks at the 2024 Veteran's Day Ceremony Monday November 11. Werner praised the efforts of the Chester Boys Scouts and the Chester High School Band for always providing such good service to making the annual patriotic ceremonies such a huge success. Jim Beers Photo Photo 4 The Rev. Dr. Mike Fogerson of the First Baptist Church in Chester gave the Invocation and the Benediction at the 2024 Chester Veteran's Day Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo Photo 5 Chester Alderman, Bob Platt, provided remarks at the Veteran's Day Ceremony in Chester Monday November 11. Platt "stepped-in" for Mayor Tom Page who was out of town in St. Louis at the time and was unable to attend. Platt was brief and to the points in his remarks and expressed the City's appreciation for all local veterans. Jim Beers Photo Photo 6 A large crowd attended the 2024 Veteran's Day Ceremony hosted by the V.F.W. Post 3553 in Chester. The crowd enjoyed the program which was followed by a FREE luncheon provided by the V.F.W. staff. Jim Beers Photo Photo 7 A combined Firing Squad of Chester V.F.W. Post 3553 and American Legion Post 487 members awaits the command to conduct the traditional "Salute to Departed Veterans" at the 2024 Chester Veteran's Day Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo Photo 8 Members of the combined Firing Squad consisting of seven members of the Chester V.F.W. Post 3553 and the Chester Americal Legion Post 487 conduct the annual Veteran's Day "Salute to Departed Veterans" Monday November 1. Jim Beers Photo Photo 9 Kendall Nanney, a Chester High School sophomore, plays "TAPS" as part of the 2024 Chester Veteran's Day "Salute to Departed Veterans". The event was held at the Chester V.F.W. Nanney s a trumpet player in the CHS Band, and it was her first time performing in a solo capacity at one of the Chester Patriotic Ceremonies. She did an amazing job and played with good volume, tone and clarity. Jim Beers Photo