Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to USD 373 Athletics.  To make your athletic year a success, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Where is the Athletic Department for the district located?
Newton Public School's Athletic Department office is located in the Newton High School administrative office. Brian Becker is the district athletic director. Michelle Bergquist is the District's Athletic Administration Assistant.

Are there meetings where parents can learn about athletics and meet the coaches, learn about practice schedules, and coaches’ expectations?
Yes! There are seasonal parent meetings for both Newton High School and Chisholm Middle School. The schedule is as follows: 

PARENT MEETINGS

• FALL (NHS & CMS):
  • Mandatory Code of Conduct Parent Meeting for ALL SEASONS (must attend one session) 
    • Tuesday, August 9th - 6pm 
    • Wednesday, August 10th - 10am
    • Wednesday, August 10th - 6pm
  • Fall Sports Coach/Parent Meetings
    • Tuesday August 9th 7:00pm  *EARLIER TIME!  (prev 7:30)
    • If attending Wednesday, specific team information will be available
    • Coaches may not be present
• WINTER:
  • NHS - Thursday, November 3rd - 6pm
  • CMS - Monday, October 17th - 6pm (Girls Basketball and Boys Wrestling)
  • CMS - Thursday, January 5th - 6pm ( Boys Basketball and Girls Wrestling)
• SPRING:
  • NHS & CMS - Thursday, February 16th - 6pm

When do the practices begin for the different seasons?
The following are the schedules for the current  school year for Newton High School and Chisholm Middle School.

Full event schedules can be found on the following sites: 

• NHS events
• CMS events

In addition, you can add your athlete's events to your calendar (such as iCal) by selecting the team schedule you wish to view and then clicking "subscribe" in the top right corner of the pop up window.

TRYOUTS AND FIRST PRACTICES 

• FALL:
  • NHS & CMS
    • August 15, 2022
• WINTER
  • NHS:
    • November 14, 2022
    • Bowling - 
      • Tryouts in December 2022
      • Practices begin TBD
  • CMS:
    • Girls Basketball & Boys/Girls Wrestling - TBD
    • Boys Basketball - TBD
• SPRING
  • NHS:
    • February 27, 2023
  • CMS: 
    • Track - TBD
    • Tennis -  TBD

What is the schedule for sports pictures?
All sports pictures are taken after school. The dates are as follows:

• FALL
  • NHS – Friday, August 26th
  • CMS – Friday, August 26th
• WINTER
  • NHS – Friday, November 18th 
    • Bowling - Wednesday, January 11th
  • CMS
    • Girls Basketball & Boys Wresting - Friday, November 18th
    • Boys Basketball & Girls Wrestling - Wednesday, January 11th
• SPRING
  • NHS & CMS – Wednesday, March 22nd

Can I find the athletic physical packet online?
Yes, the packet is online: USD 373 athletics forms. This must be printed by the family to take to the doctor's appointment. The rest of our required information is now completed in an online registration site and at the required seasonal parent meetings (The Railer Way Code of Conduct).

Critical Information!! Please note: 

1. This is only part of the district's participation requirements and must be printed by the family and taken to the medical provider
2. The physical cannot be dated before MAY 1st for the upcoming year. (Example: to participate in the 2020-21 school year, the physical must be dated May 1, 2020 or later.)

Where can I pick up an athletic physical packet?
A physical packet may be downloaded from this website and must be printed by the family. In addition, there is an online registration that must be completed in order to participate.

How often does my athlete have to have a physical to be able to participate?
An athlete must have a yearly physical. The physical shall not be taken earlier than May 1st for the upcoming school year for which it is applicable. Only one physical is required each school year.

Where do I turn the in my athlete's physical packet?
Bring the completed physical packet to the athletic office located at the high school.

• Please bring all paperwork to NHS.
  • Please note; if the physical packet is dropped off at Chisholm Middle School, you will need to allow 2 working days for your athlete's packet to arrive at the high school athletic office before your athlete is allowed to practice. If the packet is incomplete, there will be further delays.

Is there a deadline for the physical packet to be turned in before my athlete can practice?
The Athletic Department encourages you to turn in your athlete's physical packet before the first day of practice, preferably by the Wednesday before the season begins. (See: "When do sports seasons begin?" listed above to help you plan and prepare). In general, paperwork needs to be submitted by noon to be included in that day's reports.

• The department is aware that circumstances may keep you from getting the packet into NHS before practices start; in those cases, you may turn in the physical after practices begin but there may be a one (1) day delay before your athlete can participate.

Athletes may not practice until the athletic department has processed the physical and given the information to the coach. Packets will not be processed if incomplete. Please verify all signatures and information is provided.

 

How long after the first day of practice does my athlete have to decide whether he/she wants to go out for a sport?
The guideline for being able to join a team is to decide by the end of the first week of practice.

 

Is there a fee to be able to participate?
Yes, there is a "Pay for Participation" fee. The fees are assessed according to reduced/free lunch status at the time fees are paid, provided there is a signed waiver on file.

Fees are as follows PER sport:

• Newton High School and Chisholm Middle School: $50.00
• NHS and CMS Reduced Lunch: $40.00
• NHS and CMS Free Lunch: $30.00

Please note; any athlete who chooses to participate in two (2) sports/activities in the same season will pay for each activity.

When does the Pay for Participation fee need to be paid?
The fee must be paid by the end of the first week of practice. If it is not paid by then, the athlete will not be allowed to practice with the team. The fee may be turned in during enrollment or to the Athletic Office, located at the high school. If your student is in middle school, you may turn in your fee to the secretaries at Chisholm.

Please Note: The exception being CMS Volleyball, CMS Boys and Girls Basketball, and NHS Bowling fees are due the day after the athletes are notified that they have made the team.

What is the purpose of the Pay for Participation?
Pay for Participation is a program designed to supplement the athletic budgets of the USD 373 High/Middle Schools. It will allow the athletic department to continue to offer the same programs offered in the past.

 

What is the policy for a refund?
The Kansas State High School Activities Association's (KSHSAA) bylaws, the discipline policies of USD 373 and it's schools, and  the coaches’/sponsors’ rules will be observed by all participants. Failure to meet these regulations or to complete the activity for any reason other than being cut during tryouts will result in the forfeiture of all fees.

I would like to take my athlete home with me after a game. Is this possible?
Yes, this is possible. It is preferred that the athlete ride home with the team unless there are special circumstances. The following are the guidelines for an athlete not returning on a school vehicle:

• Parents/guardians (who have custodial rights) may sign their son/daughter out on a sign out sheet with the coach at the event
  • If athlete is NOT signed out and does NOT ride home on a bus/van, disciplinary action will be taken.  The athlete could be held out of the next competition date.
• If the athlete needs to ride home with someone other than a parent/guardian, a request has to have been written and delivered, or an email sent to the A.D., by 8:30 am the morning of the contest. 
  • The coach will receive a copy of note signed off by the A.D. prior to leaving for the event

My athlete wasn’t able to come to school in the morning but was able to go to school later that day. Can my athlete practice or compete that day?
No, the athlete must attend a full day of school on the day of practice/competition/performance in order to be eligible to participate that day (or a full day Friday in order to participate on Saturday). The exceptions:  Any athlete missing 45 minutes or more may not practice/compete/perform that day unless the absence involved a school activity or a note from a doctor. Other absences (court appearance, funeral, etc…) must have prior approval from the Athletic Director.