Opening Day Assembly, Educational Sessions, Iconik Pictures, and 7th & 8th Period introductions highlight the Day 1 active schedule
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Thursday August 14 was the first official day of school at Chester High School for students. The day was filled with excitement, lots of introductions, educational orientation sessions, individual and group photos with the new school photograph company, Iconik Studio of Fairfield, Illinois, and first exposures to the student’s 7th & 8th hour classes.
Students reported to Colbert Memorial Gymnasium at 8:00 a.m. where they were greeted by Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal. Blechle gave a very high energy warm welcome to the student body from 8:00 till 8:17 a.m. to start the new 2025-26 school year.
Technology staff had a brilliant, well-developed slide show prepared for Blechle to use on the large video screen that drops from the ceiling in Colbert Gym. There was sound to go along with the slide presentations so students were able to easily follow the verbal information being conveyed.
Mr. Blechle explained the “HIVE” mentality at CHS. At CHS, “We HAVE Respect”; “We INITIATE responsibility”; “We VALUE safety”; and “We ENCOURAGE Empathy”!
Mr. Blechle also emphasized that at CHS, students should BE KIND to other students who might “talk” differently”; “walk” differently; “look” differently; and “learn” differently; and that NO CHILD DESERVES TO BE PICKED ON, EVER!
Finally, Principal Blechle encouraged students to become involved in the CHS culture. He noted that at CHS there are at least 30 different sports, activities, clubs, and extracurricular programs.
There are 11 different sports including Baseball (Varsity & JV); Football (Varsity, Sophomore & Freshman); Golf (Varsity & JV); Basketball (Varsity, JV & Freshman); Softball (Varsity & JV); Competitive Cheerleading (Varsity); Track & Field (Varsity); Cross Country (Varsity); Dance Team (Varsity); Volleyball (Varsity, JV & Freshman); and Competitive Dance (Varsity).
There are six activities including Bass Fishing, E-Sports (JV), Scholar Bowl (Varsity & JV), Music (Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir & Swing Choir “Sound Affect”), Journalism, and Trapshooting.
Finally there are 13 clubs and organizations including National Honor Society, Art Club, S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Environmental Green Team, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Spanish Club, FFA (Future Farmers of America), Spring Play and/or Musicals; Student Council, GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance), Tabletop Gaming, HIVE Pep Club, and The Sting Newspaper.
From 8:21 until 10:45 a.m. the morning was divided into four session-periods which provided various important bits of informational and training events which provided much-needed facts to students, both former and new, to help guide future behavior and student success.
The entire student body rotated among the four sessions throughout the morning in the following blocks:
Session 1: 8:21-8:54
Session 2: 8:58-9:31
Session 3: 9:35-10:08
Session 4: 10:12-10:45
Session locations included the CHS Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria; Colbert Memorial Gymnasium; Juergens Gymnasium; CHS Band Room; and outside behind the Juergens Gym Entrance. The various locations not only provided space for training, but moved students around the school to help get students acquainted with the building.
Teachers were assigned to lead the student groups to their various sessions. There were a total of eight groups, two per class level. There were two groups for freshmen, two for sophomores, two for juniors, and two for seniors.
Topics of information dissemination and training included:
School Handbook and Graduation Requirements
Code of Conduct
Jostens purchases (Class rings, graduation announcements, caps and gowns, etc.)
Chromebook Policy
Bus Evacuation and Safety Drills
Official School Pictures (Iconik Photo Company)
Wellness, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support).
From 10:49- 11:19 some students ate Lunch A while others experienced their 6th Hour Class Period.
From 10:49-11:28 some students experienced their 6th Hour Class Period while others ate Lunch.
The focus of Day 1 switched in the afternoon from training activities to experiencing the 7th and 8th Hour Classes. Students got to meet their teachers, see where their classrooms are located, class receive materials, get a class syllabus, and become acquainted with class expectations.
12:06-12:44 p.m. 7th Hour Class
12:48-1:26 p.m. 8th Hour Class
Thursday August 14 was an “Early Dismissal Day”, so students were dismissed at 1:30 p.m.
After School was dismissed Fall Sports Pictures were taken (by the Iconik Photo Company). The following schedule was followed:
1:30 p.m. Football
2:20 p.m. Cross Country
2:40 p.m. Golf
3:00 p.m. Dance Team
3:20 p.m. Cheerleading
3:40 p.m. Volleyball
Day No. 2 for the Chester School District # 139 was Friday August 15. It was another “Early Dismissal Day” with students being dismissed at 1:30 p.m.
Day No. 2 was a reversal of the Day 1 schedule as students started the day going to each of their first five class periods to meet teachers, get instructions regarding how the class would run, etc. 6th Period classes and lunches were scheduled the same as Day 1.
After lunches, the rest of the day was spent with students taking care of several business matters, including getting Chromebooks, Parking Passes, Yondrs, Yondr Pouches, Chargers, etc. School dismissed a 1:30 p.m. and Week 1 was complete.
Jeremy Blechle, Principal at Chester High School, welcomes students to the 2025-26 school year at an all-school assembly to kick off the new year. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School students attend a general assembly Thursday August 14 on the first day of school. The day was full of training sessions, Code of Conduct reviews, meeting teachers, and many other activities to prepare them for the 2025-26 school year. Jim Beers Photo
Juergens Gymnasium at CHS was a busy place Thursday August 14 with student school pictures by the Iconik Photo Company and many student training activities. Jim Beers Photo
CHS Principal, Jeremy Blechle, reviews the Code of Conduct with students on the first day of school Thursday August 14. All students attended various training and informational sessions throughout the day. Jim Beers Photo
All students at Chester High School attended a session regarding the Chromebook Policy Thursday August 14 on the first day of school. This session was held in the band room and was presented by Mrs. Kern, Mrs. Durbin, and Mrs., Keirg. Jim Beers Photo
The Jostens Company was on hand at Chester High School Thursday August 14 to meet with students regarding various services that they offer such as class rings, graduation announcements, graduation caps and gowns, and other items thay offer. This session was held in Juergens Gymnasium and was monitored by Jostens staff. Jim Beers Photo
CHS Assistant Principal, Robin Barton, and Student Services Coordinator, Mrs. Meisner, presented a session to all students regarding the CHS Student Handbook and Graduation Requirements They were assisted by Mrs. Howie. Jim Beers Photo
All students at Chester High School attended a session regarding Wellness, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS). This session was presented in Juergens Gymnasium by Ms. Stegmann, Curriculum Director, Nurse Chandler, Ms. Vahling, Mrs. Mueller, and Mrs. Brown. Jim Beers Photo
Chester School District # 139 Superintendent of Schools, Kimberly Briggs, made a brief appearance at the First Day of School Assembly at Chester High School Thursday August 14. Jim Beers Photo
New Chester High School Physical Education Teacher and Assistant Football Coach. Mr. Strauss received a very loud and lively reception when introduced to the students at the opening day assembly Thursday August 14. Jim Beers Photo
On the first day of school assembly at CHS ALL teachers and staff were introduced in a grand fashion with smoke, lights and music. Shown here Mrs. Meisner, the new Student Services Director, entered the Colbert Memorial Gymnasium to much applause and cheering from students. Jim Beers Photo
Jenny Cartwright was introduced twice at the First Day of School Assembly at Chester High School, once as Physical Education Teacher and again as Athletic Director. She is also the Head Girls Track and Field Coach. This year Mrs. Cartwright will be at CHS all day. She will teach PE throughout most of the morning and then serve as Athletic Director in the afternoon.
Dwight Lochhead is shown here presenting students with Bus Drills and Bus Safety information. He was assisted by Mrs. Clendenin, Mr. Miller and Mr. Conley. All students had this session. SWIBCO-Robinson Transportation is once again providing transportation for District # 139. Jim Beers Photo
On Day 2 of the District # 139 school year Friday August 15, students picked up their Chromebooks and cases. The first full week of school will start Monday August 18. Jim Beers Photo
Friday August 15 was the second day of school at CHS. On this date students picked up their Parking Passes, Chargers, Yondr Telephone Pouches, and other important school issue items. Jim Beers Photo