With the 2000-2001 school year just a couple of weeks away, it’s high time that those students who will be participating in football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, field hockey, or swimming get ready for the fall seasons.

That means, it is time to get together all the paperwork necessary in order to be able to compete – a physical form (a physical is good for one year from the time that it was signed and forms are located in the NHS nurse’s office), a parental permission form (these must be filled out for each sports season and are on back of the physical forms), a $50 pay for play fee (all checks made payable to Newtown High School) and a Substance Abuse form (must be signed by both the student and the parent and is valid for the athlete’s entire career at NHS – will be passed out by coaches).

According to Athletic Director Gregg Simon, all athletes who are trying out for a sports team should try to bring these items on the first day of practice (listed below). All students will be given one week from the first day of practice to turn in all required items.

The practice schedules are:

Volleyball – Meets Saturday, August 26, from 9 am to 12 noon, at the main gym of Newtown High. Players should be prepared to play.

Cross Country – Meets Monday, August 28, at 2:15 pm, at the Newtown High track. Be prepared to run.

Swimming – Meets Saturday, August 26, from 9 to 11 am, in the Newtown High pool.

Boys’ Soccer – Meets Saturday, August 26, at the Newtown High track. All interested athletes are invited to run at 7 am. Freshmen and sophomore tryouts will be at 9 am and 1 pm, while junior and senior tryouts will be 11 am and 3 pm.

Girls’ Soccer – Meets Monday, August 28, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, and 1 to 3 pm, at the Newtown High soccer field behind the high school.

Field Hockey – Meets Saturday, August 26, from 9 am to 11 am, and 2 to 5 pm, at Fairfield Hills. Please bring water, sneakers, cleats and a mouth guard.