SchoolMessenger app account is not required to use the toll-free phone line to report absences. However, we strongly recommend that you provide your email address to the school and set up your SchoolMessenger app account.
This allows you to review and update absences, review your contact information, communication preferences and more.
Report an Absence
To help us keep every student safe and accounted for, we ask parents and guardians to report any student absences through SchoolMessenger as soon as possible. Once an absence is reported, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
For same-day absences, please notify us right away. When you are planning ahead future absences can be reported at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If we don’t receive a reason for a student’s absence, our automated system will begin contacting parents and guardians to ensure the student is safe. If we’re unable to reach anyone, our school office staff will follow up.
Your timely communication helps us protect and care for every student. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community safe.
SchoolMessenger Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a SchoolMessenger app account?
How do I create a SchoolMessenger Account?
Open an internet browser and navigate to https://home.schoolmessenger.ca/ or download the SM Home/SchoolMessenger App.
Select ‘Sign up’ in the upper right corner.
Use the email address on file at the school and create a password. If you wish to use a different one, please contact your school and ask them to update your email address.
Choose your password. Make sure Canada is set as the location. Select ‘Sign up’. A verification email will be sent to your email address. From this email, open the link to verify. A new browser window will open to the SchoolMessenger website, where you will need to login with your new credentials to verify your account.
What if I'm not calling from my home phone number?
You will be asked to enter a phone number that is registered for your student.
Can anyone who knows my phone number report an absence using the phone system? Including my child?
Yes, anyone who uses a phone that is listed in the school’s system for your student or anyone who can enter a phone number that is listed in the school’s system for your student can report an absence for your student.
It is strongly recommended that you set a PIN that must be entered before an absence can be reported or explained for a student. We recommend you provide your email address so that whenever an absence is report or updated, you will receive an email confirmation notice.
How do I set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN)?
Open the SchoolMessenger app or website and go to the Attendance page.
- On the App Under settings click Manage your PIN settings.
- On the website, scroll down to the bottom of the page to Manage your PIN settings.
Select the student(s) you want to set a PIN for (all enrolled students will be listed). Click save.
Create Your PIN by entering 4-digits. Click save.
To view or change your PIN tap the eye icon and tap the PIN if you want to change it. Click save.
Open the SchoolMessenger app or website and go to the Preferences page.
- On the website, Preferences are available in the top right initial’s dropdown.
You can change your communication preferences here.
What if the student is going to be late, or absent for a half a day?
Please use the late feature with Safe Arrival and indicate the anticipated time you expect your child to arrive at the school. The school office will record the actual arrival time on your child’s attendance record.
Please note that the late feature is only available for secondary school parents. If your elementary child will be arriving late, please report them as absent for the full day and include a comment indicating their expected arrival time. This will prevent you from receiving a School Messenger notification. When your child arrives, they must check in at the office so their attendance can be updated accordingly.
How will I know what period the student is absent for?
If you receive a call notifying you of your child’s absence the call will only reference morning or afternoon periods. Please refer to the Safe Arrival app or notification email from SchoolMessenger to identify the specific period(s) your child was marked absent.
If we are going to be away for an extended period, can I communicate the days in advance?
Yes, select ‘multiple day’ when creating the absence in SchoolMessenger, and you will be prompted to enter multiple dates.
Full-Day absences and future day absences (up to a maximum of 5 days) can be entered. Please contact your school if your child will be away for longer than 5 days
Can I adjust a previous day’s absence using SchoolMessenger?
Only current day or future day absences can be reported using the SchoolMessenger app or website, or phone.
Yes, a comment box is available when entering the absence.
Plans changed, and my child went to school. How do I delete the reported absence?
You can delete a reported absence up to 11:00 p.m. If the child is at school, the reported absence is ignored.
The reason my student is absent is not listed in the choices.
If you don’t see the reason your student is absent in the choices, please use Parent Confirmed and add a note in the comment field.
What if the system says my email is not associated with a student?
Please contact your school office. They can ensure that the information for your child is correct.