Fall 2 (Flex) Season Update

Posted on February 13, 2021 by Manisha Kasana in Athletics, From the PTSO

Effective February 22, 2021

The Fall 2 (Flex) 2021 online athletic registration process is ongoing, and it will close Friday, February 19, 2021   All student-athletes interested in trying out for a Fall 2 (Flex) sport must be registered by Feb 19. Due to strict health and safety guidelines, NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED .  Registration will be through Family ID, and will be available through the Newton South Athletic Website.

Based on the recent guidelines established by the EEA, DESE, MIAA, Dual County League, and Newton Public Schools, and voted on by the School Committee, the following has been established for the Fall 2, 2021 (Flex) Season:

  • Unified Basketball, Boys & Girls Indoor Track, Girls Volleyball, Fall Cheer, Fall Dance, and Football will take place this fall 2 (Flex) Season.  Tryouts/practices will begin the week of Monday, February 22nd with Newton Health Department and School Committee approval.
  • DCL first games are currently scheduled to start the week of March, 8th 2021.
  • MASKS ARE REQUIRED AS SPECIFIED BY MIAA SPORT SPECIFIC RULE MODIFICATIONS AND THE NEWTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT for all participants, coaches, and officials at practices and games. In accordance with Newton Public School Health and Safety Policies, GAITERS and BANDANAS ARE NOT PERMITTED for athletic participation or for attending games in Newton.
  • All student-athletes participating in a Fall 2 sport must have an IN-PERSON physical within the last 13 months for sports participation on file with the athletic office. The physical can be emailed to hoffmank@newton.k12.ma.us.  Despite the pandemic, the Massachusetts DPH will NOT accept physicals via telehealth for Fall 2 sports.
  • All Volleyball HOME games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays. The 9th-grade team will play on Tuesdays and the JV team will play on Fridays. Both games will be held before the varsity game.
  • The Volleyball Away games will be Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • Unified Basketball will practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Football will practice daily. Coach Dalicandro will distribute the practice schedule.

Cheer will practice at South and Dance will practice at Oak Hill.

Indoor Track is limited to 50 students per team. Coaches will share the practice schedule shortly. The DCL expects competitions to take place outdoors in April.

Football practices will start on Monday, February 22. The sport will be practiced outdoors. Expect many film sessions conducted during the season either at home or in Gym B.

  • Newton South will compete against one school in all sports in the same week to limit contact and exposure and to also help with contact tracing should it be needed at any point during the season.
  • Transportation will be provided to away games. Families can also drive their students to away games. Students can drive themselves as well. A waiver form must be completed for either of these situations.
  • Transportation to practice is not provided.  We will work to support students and families with transportation concerns. Late bus transportation home can be provided.
  • The DCL, in line with all District 4 leagues, has voted to not allow spectators to the games. The policy will be revisited after the first three weeks in March.
  •  Athletes, coaches, and officials’ attendance protocols will be strictly enforced in all locations.  Masks and social distancing will be required for all in attendance.
  • Student-athletes are required to fill out the COVID-19 Symptoms Check form in order to be admitted to our practices and games. The form is due every day by 1 PM.
  • The standard NPS High School User Fee will be collected at the time of registration. Financial assistance will be provided for families that need it

All information for Fall2 (Flex) season is subject to change. Thanks for your patience as we work through these challenging times. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes on the field soon!