I had physical custody of Samantha. I was always involved with the small town school she attended by volunteering for field trips and substituting. After she moved in with her father, I felt as if I was thrown out of the loop. At first I was in a panic, but after conversing with other non-custodial parents and searching for support and knowledge, I found that staying involved is possible. Luckily, many schools districts have jumped on the technological bandwagon.
Most schools have their own Web pages with pictures of student activities and calendars of events.
Some schools have e-mail addresses for their staff, making direct access to your teenager's instructors available. It is a good idea to visit the school your child attends if you are in the area. When school personnel can put a face to a name and voice, it helps them realize you are truly interested in your teen's progress. Also, keep in mind that some school officials may require written permission from the custodial parent before giving out personal student information. She relies on Kirsten's stepmother, teachers and administrators at her daughter's school.