Chester Area School District 39-1 -

Hey soon-to-be JrK-5th Graders!  Come join Ambush Soccer Academy for some FUN with Fundamentals in this 4 days soccer camp this summer!  Camp is June 16-19 at Baughman Belatti Park in Madison.  For more info and to register, follow this link:  https://ambushbasketball.sportngin.com/register/form/123893893

Chester Area School District is seeking an afternoon driver for a few students. No CDL needed. The hours would be approximately 2:00-5:00 and the pay is competitive.

Please call or email Dr. Kimberly Kludt for more information.

605-489-2411

kim.kludt@k12.sd.us

Parents,

Baseball season is a few months away yet, but the Madison Baseball Association opened registration for the 2026 season.  Please note this is only for Tee-ball and Baseball.  Softball will be handled through a different signup at a later date. 

Tee-Ball

• We’re hoping to have enough players to have a Tee-ball team from Chester again this year.  If your son or daughter has a birthday between January 1st 2019, and April 31st of 2021 you will be eligible to play T-ball.  If the player has played 1 year of Tee-ball and has a birthday between January 1st 2019 and May 1st 2019, they will have the option to play 8U.  If you have a son or daughter interested in playing or you are willing to help with Tee-ball, please contact Keith Alverson by February 10th, 2026.  League fees for this season will be $75/player.

  • Keith Alverson

  • Email: kalver@itctel.com

  • Cell: 605-270-1420

8U-Baseball

·                     We'd like to keep the 8u team from last year going!  If you have a son (or daughter) that would like to play and has a birthday between January 1st 2017 and December 31st 2018 they are eligible to play 8U.  We have some flexibility to allow players that have competed in 1 year of Tee-ball and were born in early 2019 to move into this league if interested.  If you have a player interested please contact Keith Alverson by February 10th.   League fees for 8u will be $95/player.

• Keith Alverson

• Email: kalver@itctel.com

• Cell: 605-270-1420

·                      

10U-Legion Baseball

• For parents with girls or boys interested in 10U through Legion Baseball please use the following link to register for the 2026 baseball season if you have not done so already.  By registering with this link your son or daughter will be drafted or placed onto a Madison based baseball team.  More information on this can be found on the Madison Baseball Association website.  Please contact Keith with any questions.

• https://madisonbaseballassociation.com/registration/

Thank you!

Keith Alverson

Tonight's girls basketball game has been postponed to Thursday, January 22nd, starting at 5 pm.

Holiday Stress, Mental Health, & How to Cope
The holidays can bring stress from gift preparation, family dynamics, weather changes, and unrealistic expectations (like perfect decorations or gifts), which can worsen or trigger mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. However, coping strategies or professional help can ease this stress. Managing expectations and prioritizing realistic goals- rather than perfection- can make the season more manageable.

Holiday Expectation Coping Strategies:
Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Holiday pressure can tempt overspending, so be generous but know your limits.
Plan when and where to shop. Choose less crowded times or shop online to reduce stress.
Take care of yourself. You can’t do it all or please everyone. If overwhelmed, step back and decide what things you can let go of.
Another common mental issue around the holidays is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that often occurs in winter when days are shorter and darker, making the holidays harder. If you or your child are struggling, you’re not alone. Here are some coping mechanisms that you can try together:

Stay hydrated with water and lotion to nourish your brain and boost mood
Exercise regularly; choose activities you enjoy. Moving your body will release endorphins, which helps lessen the symptoms of depression. If you live in a cold or snowy area, sledding, skiing, or skating can be fun family activities
Pamper yourself or your child with warm baths, favorite activities, or treats to lift spirits.
Spend time with loved ones and encourage your children to connect with others to reduce holiday loneliness
Sometimes coping alone isn’t enough and professional help might be needed. Consider reaching out if you or your child:

Feel constantly irritable or sad
Struggle to concentrate
Experience major appetite or sleep changes
Feel persistent sadness
Feel unable to cope with feelings of hopelessness.
Have thoughts of self-harm
The holidays can be full of so many emotions. Staying in touch with how you are feeling is the most important way to ensure that you can reduce stress and take care of yourself.

Learn More: Take Our No-Cost Course
Take this course to learn simple mindfulness techniques. Through mindfulness, you can find calm by settling into the moment and realizing that you’re already complete. It will help you return to fundamental wholeness. It is these simple principles of mindfulness that have the power to completely transform your life.

Coping, Healing, and Finding Peace Through Mindfulness
https://parentguidance.org/courses/mindfulness-healing-peace/


Find the December and all of our monthly newsletters in the file link below:
December (Spanish) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t_4e9hKeXziAj32EsemDUCzpeekCXaNm/view?usp=drive_link

December (English) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WcWD0II3I-NCzT8k-R4Brswit81b_7vc/view?usp=drive_link