School’s starting already! Schools open on August 14th in Miami-Dade and the Keys and August 11th in Broward County. That means coordinating supply lists, drop-off schedules, and school events. If you’re co-parenting, now’s the time to make this year easier on everyone—parents and kids.
At Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti, P.A., with over 40 years of experience in Florida family law, we’ve guided countless clients through the back-to-school shuffle. This year, Florida’s updated education policies have added new considerations you won’t want to miss.
Stay on Top of Your Rights Under the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act
The “Don’t Say Gay” law and its companion, the Parental Rights in Education Act, now require schools to:
• Provide advance notice of health services, mental health programs, and gender identity support
• Obtain parental consent before administering certain screenings or questionnaires
• Adopt clear procedures for parental complaints and appeals
In practice, this means as a co-parent:
- You have a legal right to be notified about school programs that could involve your child.
- You can voice concerns and get answers within a set timeframe.
- Schools must document which parent receives which notices—so make sure both your contact details are in the district’s file.
Map Out Shared School Communication Now
A strong co-parenting plan keeps you both in the know:
- Set up a shared Google Calendar with key school events.
- Use text chains or co-parenting apps like “OurFamilyWizard” for real-time updates.
- Decide in advance how to allocate time for school meetings, conference attendance, and extracurricular activities.
Coordinate Transportation Early—Before the First School Bell Rings
Don’t wait for the first day to figure out logistics:
- Decide who will take the morning drop-off and from where.
- Factor in after-school care, sports, and extracurricular activities.
- Discuss what to do the morning after late-night events, such as open houses or performances.
Clarify Access to School Records & Educator Meeting Participation
Florida courts expect co-parents to be proactive about educational involvement:
- Request in writing: access to grades, progress reports, and standardized test results.
- Agree on how often each can attend parent-teacher conferences.
- Reinforce expectations at both households for homework support, attendance, and screen time.
Have a Plan for Special Situations
Florida schools now must follow clear protocols for:
- Student health services (immunizations, vision/hearing checks)
- Mental well-being or behavioral support
- Opt-outs or exemptions related to curriculum or health screenings
Ensure your parenting plan references these new policies and that both households are aware of what to expect.
Pro Tips from Florida Family Law Pros
In an ideal world, parents would be able to work this out between themselves. Unfortunately, we don’t always live in a perfect world, which is why you need a strong parenting plan (prepared by attorneys with experience and expertise) to make these arrangements work best for all involved.
- Put it in writing. Clear parenting plans make enforcement easier and stress-free.
- Update contacts. Double-check that the district has both parents’ names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
- Share school correspondence. Exchange newsletters, emails, and teacher updates weekly.
- Avoid wildfire issues. If disagreements spike during back-to-school week, address them calmly—don’t wait until they escalate.
Why This Matters
When parents work together—especially during busy times like back-to-school—everyone in the family thrives. You’ll:
- Reduce stress for your kids
- Create consistency across two homes
- Show your child that cooperation matters
- Greatly reduce the likelihood of calls to court
Need Help Updating Your Parenting Plan?
With new Florida laws and school district policies in 2025, now’s the time to refresh your co-parenting strategy.
Want Help With:
- Adding parental rights to your plan
- Ensuring you both get school notices
- Drafting transportation and communication schedules?
Call Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti today for a free consultation. Serving Miami‑Dade, Broward & the Keys — where co-parents learn to collaborate, not court.
Call us at 305-653-5555, Text us at 305-653-1515, Email us at [email protected], or complete the form at the top of the page, and one of our experienced Family Law attorneys will call you.
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