I don't know the particulars of that case however my estranged made
the same request to the school where my children are enrolled....I am
the joint custodial parent and I am entitled to any and all information
concerning my children....The Judge in my case ordered her to remove
any request she made to the school that would have prevented me from
getting any information I requested...Following is a letter I sent to
the principal of my childrens school...I have posted this to this list
before....If there are no orders in place stating you are not entitled
to this information, then this letter should get you all the
documentation you desire....
Good luck Boo

REQUEST FOR RECORDS

September 23, 2000 Certified Mail xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

Principals Name Address City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr. or Mrs/Ms Principal:

As the joint custodial parent of (childs name), please accept this
letter as a formal request for any and all school information regarding
my children.
I would like this letter to be entered into (childs name) permanent
school record. As there is no court order barring me from contact with
my children and I have always tried to be an involved father. I am
exercising my rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) to have full, unhindered access to my children's school
information.

I have attempted to get this information through the children's mother,
but due to our inability to communicate, I am requesting this
information directly from the school.
Information to be released includes, but is not limited to, the
following:

Photocopies of all report cards, achievement tests, permission slips,
school newsletters, school picture notification and any other paperwork
that is sent to (childs name) primary residence.
Make sure that my name is in the Father spot on any and all school
records, make sure that my name, address, home and work telephone
numbers are included in the school's records as emergency contacts.
This information is provided below.
I want to be informed of any absences from school and times tardy along
with excuses given for said instances.
To be able to contact teachers, aides, counselors, principals and other
school personnel to discuss (childs name) progress in school, any
behavioral or disciplinary concerns, and general social well-being of
(childs name) in school, via telephone, e-mail, fax or in person.
I want to be notified of and have the opportunity to participate by
telephone (or in person if possible) in ANY and ALL meetings,
conferences, disciplinary discussions and any other meetings which
require parent participation.
You are also requested to include all records of or involving
psychological counseling, testing, etc.
Please include all "shot" records, vaccination records, immunization
records, insurance records, counsellor's reports, accident reports,
incident reports and enrollment.
Copies of any standardized testing results along with opportunities to
speak with school personnel including but not limited to counsellors
and or therapists if any help is needed in interpreting the results.
Copies of school calendars and notification of special events such as
plays, school carnivals, etc.

I realize that completing a mailing daily is unreasonable. I would be
satisfied that non-timely documents can wait and be mailed in bulk.
However, any materials or notifications of meetings that are highly
time-sensitive need to be mailed in time for me to be an active
participant in (childs name) schooling. If the time frame is too small
for mailing, please call me at one of the telephone numbers listed
below to inform me.
You may also fax me any information as well.

I understand that there may be copying or postage costs involved in
obtaining material for me. This is not a problem and I am more than
willing to pay for them. Just send a statement whenever such costs are
incurred. If you prefer, I will be glad to provide pre-stamped and
pre-addressed envelopes in order to make it easier for you to mail me
Carl and Casey's school information.

I would like to be notified (immediately upon receipt of this letter)
of the names of (childs name) teachers and the times during the day
that I would be most likely able to telephone and speak with him or
her. If you have any questions as to whether a piece of information
should be sent to me, send it.

As you are most likely aware, being a professional educator in the
teaching and/or school administration profession, Federal Law requires
that I be furnished all of the above information. Your attention is
directed to The Family Educational Rights and Privacy act (FERPA),
Public Law 93-380, Title 20, USCA Section 1232(g), et.
seq. and Title 93-568 et seq. As you also know, and your local school
board lawyer should be glad to confirm and verify this for you, Federal
Law requires that this information, files, papers, documents, etc.
cannot be kept from me and must be released to either parent if
requested. This is a formal written request, pursuant to the above
cited FERPA.

In closing, in the event any of the above requested reports or
information is legitimately confidential by law, and not allowed to be
released to me, I request that the rest of this request be considered
separately, and an itemized list of the reacted items be included.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,



Your Name

cc: Your Attorney