Advice to ensure the parents’ involvement in the child’s education after a separation

Before your separation, you and your ex had a way of organizing your involvement in your child’s education. Now that you’re separated, you can choose to keep doing things the same way or change them. The most important thing is to make sure each parent’s right to be informed and to participate in the child’s schooling is respected.

If one parent is more involved (because more available, for example), he or she is responsible for sharing information with the other parent, especially when a decision has to be made.
If you and your ex both want to be involved in your child’s education, you should agree on how you will share the tasks.

For example:

• How will you communicate with each other?
• Who will attend meetings with the teacher?
• How will you share attendance at school events, if spots are limited?

In all cases, communication is essential. You can stay in touch by phone, text, email, or a logbook that travels with the child. There are also several different co-parenting applications, such as Planiclik, 2houses, Our Family Wizard, and Two Happy Homes.

Regular communication will let you:

• Manage unforeseen events, such as a call from school telling you your child is sick
• Plan involvement in your child’s schooling, for example by creating a participation calendar for school events
• Coordinate your efforts to support your child with homework or an intervention plan

Discussing your child’s school day will give you a good idea of their needs and challenges.

The subject can also be stimulating and interesting to talk about.

What does it mean to be involved in your child’s education? (Alloprof)

Although it’s important to talk to your child and to listen to what they want, your child should not be a messenger. It’s your responsibility as parents to stay informed of what’s going on at school.

Be sure that the school has telephone numbers and email addresses for both you and your ex, and that all messages are sent to both of you.

Schools also make online platforms such as the Parent Portal (portailparents.ca) available. You can use it to consult report cards, homework, or school transportation information, for example. Ask the school for your access codes.

Parent Portal (Mozaïk-Portail)

It can be useful to let school staff – e.g., the principal’s office, the special education teacher, the tutor – know about your separation so they can better understand what your child is going through. That way, the school can observe your child’s behaviour more closely and report what they notice to you, if needed.

Remember that teachers are your main allies in your involvement in your child’s education. Exchanging emails with them or attending parent-teacher meetings can help you maintain a collaborative relationship.