Study Tip: Get to know your children's teachers, school

Rich tells me that attendance at open houses can drop off once kids hit middle and high school. But, she says, getting to know your children's teachers and school is an important step toward helping them become successful in academics.

"Your child needs to know what to do, when to do it and how to do it," she tells me. "There are many things you can do to get to know your children's teachers and school and give your child this important tool."

Rich says it's important to learn about classroom procedures and talk about them with your kids; email your children's teachers, especially if a child is struggling in a certain subject; and meet the teachers in person.