It's a good idea to meet each of your child's teachers. Ask about their expectations. find out how much time your child should spend on homework each night. find out whether there will be regularly scheduled tests and if so, when. Ask about the best way to get in touch if you have question. If the teachers use email, be sure to get their addresses.

Unlike in the lower grades, middle school classrooms don't need extra adults on hand. But you can volunteer in other ways. Swerve as an adviser for an extracurricular activity such as the school paper, chess club, or science fair. Help out in the computer lab. Being in the school s a great way to get a feel for what goes on there.

If you can't be in school during the day, ask teachers and other school personnel to pass along some work that you can do on your own. Photocopy homework assignments; collect recyclables for a science or art project; serve on a parent-school advisory council; join your middle school PTO or PTA. 

You'll meet other parents, school staff, and your child's classmates.

Attending concerts, plays, assemblies, meetings, and other activities is a good way to become familiar with your child's school community. 

f your school has a website where teachers list homework assignments, get in the habbit of checking it regularly. If not, contact your child's teachers and ask them to alert you when there's an important project or test coming up.

Ask specific questions to draw out your child. Ask, "How do you think you did on the math test?" "Did Mr. Smith say anything funny today?" "What games did you play in PE?"

Find an area in your home that is free of distraction where your middle schooler can concentrate on homework. Be available to help if your child has a question.

If you find a mistake, point it out to your child and help them figure out the correct answer. 

Write down important school dates, including parent meetings, due dates for projects and tests. Encourage your middle schooler to add to the calendar and to check it daily.