Every day right after school, go through any papers and flyers from school. Ask, "What homework for you have for tomorrow? For later? Are there any special events coming up for school that we need to know about? Are there any supplies that you need? "

Note: this is particularly important to do on Friday afternoon/evening, when you have weekend time to deal with buying things or getting homework and projects done. It's very easy to ignore the backpack, especially over a long weekend. Life is smoother if you find these things out on Friday, or Saturday morning at the latest.

Then, if she hasn't informed you in a timely manner, it's her problem, not yours, particularly as she gets older. (I'd go easier on an 8-year-old tween than on a 17-year-old teen.)

If she misses them enough, she will learn to tell you earlier. It's her problem, not yours

The school should be announcing these things.

How old is your DD?

Today was supposed to be some kind of spirit wear day at school.
After 4 days long weekend, my daughter tells me that she needs a particular kind of dress (color/theme) for spirit wear.
I am like, "what did you do last 4 days and why are you telling me this when you have to leave for school in 20 minutes"

It was frustrating.
she just went with her regular clothes.

How can I make her communicate these earlier and not at last minute?
Recently took her to clothes shopping and she did not mention this then as well.
Actually she kept saying she wants to go home through out the shopping trip.

I think there are some more theme events like twin day etc are coming up.
I don't want to go through this frustrating experience again. I hope she lets me know the dress code before hand.