The school year is quickly approaching and so is the start of a new athletic year. North Branch Activities Director Becky Leuer said there are dates and information students and families need to heed in the coming weeks.

The parent/participant/athlete meeting is Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. in the North Branch auditorium. The meeting is for all high school athletes (for all seasons). All high school students and their parents should plan on attending the meeting, Leuer said.

Individual fall sports meetings will be held after the general meeting. PSEO students are reminded to arrange their classes around their practice and game schedules.

High school start dates

Fall: football, soccer, volleyball, girls tennis and cross country will start Aug. 14. In September, the fall musical will have tryouts and in October, the Math League and Knowledge Bowl will start.

Middle school start dates

Sign-up meeting for fall sports is Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. in the middle school south gym. The first day of practice is Aug. 29 for football, soccer, and volleyball. Middle school girls tennis and cross country should report to the high school meeting Aug. 8.

Physicals and paperwork

No student is allowed to practice without a current physical, the necessary forms turned in, and the fee paid. Leuer said a physical is needed the first time you join a sport and then every three years. Generally, a physical is needed in seventh and tenth grades, Leuer said. All seventh-grade students need a physical. Fees are refundable until the first game or contest.

New for 2006-07 is a student athletic pass. For $30, the pass will admit students to all home athletic events during the school year. The passes will be available at the sign up meetings as well as at athletic events.

A preliminary list of schedules for the 2006-07 athletic year is available online at the districtís Web site:

www.northbranch.k12.mn.us.