I thought a prime time for contacting the parents is right after school when picking up the kid. Everyone is there waiting, so it's just natural to chit chat, esp when the kids are friends.

Except when they ride the bus or are in after school or the parents dash in and out from being double parked.

I have certainly gotten to know some parents at pick up, but there’s a whole bunch I have not met.

I'd count also those memorable school talent shows/performances and events. Another reach out avenue is volunteering, these have a higher chance to match parents with similar availability at least.

My local school killed this with COVID. Now you are no longer able to stand and wait, everyone has to line up in their cars. Viva la community!

What are they going to do if you ignore this, out of curiosity?

It may be a good time for some small social disobedience to push back to how things used to be

That would require everybody get out of the car and get off their phones though

Why do all that, when you can sit in the comfort of a nice warm / cool dry vehicle and play videogames and listen to music?