--- title: "Get on every school list" published: "2026-10-15" updated: "2026-10-15" author: "Dad Field Manual editors (drafted with AI help)" time: "1 hour" cost: "$0" ages: "5 and up" where: "Most of it happens online; one call or visit to the front office covers the rest." topics: ["co-parenting"] print: "https://dadfieldmanual.com/print?p=get-on-every-school-list" url: "https://dadfieldmanual.com/plans/get-on-every-school-list/" --- # Get on every school list > When school news only reaches one house, the kid ends up as the messenger. An hour of sign-ups puts you on the portal, the newsletter and the teacher's email list yourself. You'll walk away with every channel covered and the dates on your calendar. ## What you need - Your phone or computer (have) - Each kid's school, grade, teachers, coaches and club leaders (have) - Your ID, and a birth certificate or court order in case the school asks (have) - A shared calendar (free) ## Before you start - **Follow your court order.** If an order limits your access to school records or contact, follow it. Ask a family-law attorney if you're not sure what yours allows. - **Keep your kid out of it.** Don't ask your kid to carry papers or messages between houses. Get them yourself, and handle questions adult to adult. - **School staff aren't referees.** Keep requests to the school about your kid's learning and safety, not adult disagreements. ## Steps 1. **Know where you stand** (You) The U.S. Department of Education says that under FERPA, the federal student privacy law, divorced parents generally both have rights to their child's education records, unless a court order, state law or other legally binding document says otherwise. A school may ask for proof, such as a birth certificate or court order. 2. **Update the front office** (You) Call or stop by: "Hi, I'm Jordan's dad. I'd like to make sure I'm listed with my phone and email for emergencies, report cards and school messages. What do you need from me?" AAP advises making sure the school knows who to contact for permission and in an emergency. 3. **Get your own logins** (You) Ask for your own parent account on the grades portal and the school messaging app, not a shared login. Michigan's court guide says each parent is responsible for getting report cards, school calendars and event information. Ohio's says parents should share how to register for school and activity apps so both have the same information. 4. **Join every list** (You) Sign up for the school and class newsletters, PTA emails, the district calendar, and coach and club group texts or apps. If your co-parent is already on one you can't find, ask: "Could you send me the sign-up link for the soccer app? Thanks." 5. **Introduce yourself to each teacher** (You) One short email each: "Hi, I'm Maya's dad. We're a two-home family. I'm on the portal and would like to be copied on class emails. Please reach out if anything comes up." AAP says teachers or school social workers should know about a change in the family so they can let you know if problems come up. 6. **Move the dates to one calendar** (You) Once a week, copy new dates into the shared calendar: conferences, early-release days, concerts, picture day. Go to conferences and events when you can, including on the other house's week, and greet your co-parent politely if you're both there. ## If it stalls - If the office says only one parent can be listed, ask politely what their policy is and what paperwork they need. Don't argue at the desk. If you think you're being wrongly left out, talk to a family-law attorney. - If you miss something, don't blame your co-parent or your kid. Find out which list it came through, and join it. - If your kid has an IEP or 504 plan, ask to be invited to the meetings. Michigan's court guide encourages parents to share these plans and coordinate their efforts. ## Variations - **Elementary school:** The class app and the take-home folder carry most of the news. Ask the teacher whether a second copy of papers can go home, or snap photos of what comes to your house and share them. - **Middle and high school:** Portals, coach group texts and your teen's own planner. Ask your teen once a week, "Anything coming up I should know about?" and check the portal yourself instead of quizzing them. - **You live far away:** Everything here works from a distance. Ask whether conferences can be held by phone or video, and follow the school's social media for event photos. **Not legal advice.** For custody, child support or parenting schedules, talk to a family-law attorney. ## Sources - **FERPA rights for both parents.** The U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office says that, unless a school has evidence of a court order, state law or other legally binding document that specifically provides otherwise, FERPA gives custodial and noncustodial parents alike certain rights to their children's education records, and a school may ask for legal certification of parenthood such as a birth certificate or court order. (checked 2026-10-15) - **Each parent gets school information directly.** Michigan's parenting time guideline says parents are individually responsible for getting information about school programs, concerts, plays and sports events, and for getting report cards, school calendars and school pictures. It also says parents should share information about IEPs, 504 plans or other educational plans and coordinate their efforts. (checked 2026-10-15) - **Share how to register for school apps.** Ohio's guide notes that many school districts and activity organizers use apps to communicate about homework, grades, meetings and schedules, and says parents should share how to register for and use these tools so both have the same information. (checked 2026-10-15) - **Tell the teachers; the school knows who to call.** AAP says teachers or school social workers should be told about a change in the family so they can let parents know if problems arise, and that the school needs to know who to contact for permission for special activities or in an emergency. (checked 2026-10-15)