Students must make every effort to attend school punctually and regularly. (Education Act Reg. 435, Section 23.1d) The only valid reasons for absence are: personal illness, bereavement, important appointment or family commitment certified by the parent and approved by administration (these may be verified by the office), and approved school activity (field trips, athletics, college and university visits). Students who have a spare period must be in uniform and in the library or cafeteria, not the hallways or atrium. Students who arrive late must report immediately to class.

Students who are to be absent from school are asked to have their parent/guardian inform the school of the absence. A parent/guardian must provide an explanation for the absence.

Parents will be notified by automated message when the student is absent for one or more classes.

What is the SafeArrival System?

Through the SchoolMessenger- SafeArrival system, parents will have the capability to report daily absences, and even plan absences in one of three methods: toll-free number, website, and mobile application.

• YouTube – How to Create a SafeArrival Account
• YouTube – How to Use SafeArrival to Report Absences

Reporting an absence, early departure, leave and return, late or multi day

Current or future absences can be reported for the school day.  Parents have the option of using an early departure if a student needs to leave school partway through the day for any reason or leave and return when a student is leaving partway through the day and will return to class. Parents can also use the late option if the student is running behind or has an appointment.

You can record a multi-day absence for up to five days.

Any previous absences can be reported by calling the attendance directly or emailing.

519-621-4001 or email SBEN.attendance@wcdsb.ca

Absence notifications will start right after each period.

Late notifications will be sent out in the evening around 6 p.m.

Website:

1. Visit the SchoolMessenger website and log in.
2. Click the three lines on the top left to open the menu. From there click “Attendance”.
3. Click the “Report An Absence” button.

App:

1. Tap to open the app on your phone and log in.
2. Tap the three lines on the top left to open the menu. From there Tap “Attendance”.
3. Tap the “Report An Absence” button at the bottom right.

Phone: 

1. Call the toll-free number: 1-833-251-3283
2. Listen and follow the instructions to report an absence.

Note: Whenever an absence is reported or updated, you will receive a confirmation notice by email and/or text message (assuming you have provided your contact information to the school).

Important Information

• Toll-Free number, SchoolMessenger website, and mobile application is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can report absences in advance for any school day.
• Should your child be recorded as absent without reporting it in advance on the SchoolMessenger system, the system will attempt to contact families using their chosen method of communication until it is acknowledged. This is done to confirm the absence of the student. It is therefore recommended to report your child’s absence in advance.
• If you provided a mobile phone number to your child’s school upon registration you have been sent a text message from SchoolMessenger to opt-in to receive notifications via text.
  • If you did not reply to the text message, you will not receive notifications via text. No repeat invitations to opt-in are sent. You will have to update your communication preferences on the SchoolMessenger website or app.

SafeArrival Reminder to Parents

This is a reminder that your child’s school will be using the SafeArrival absence reporting system.

Please use the toll-free number, the website, or the SchoolMessenger mobile app to report your child’s absence in advance. The toll-free number is: 1-833-251-3283.

3-Ways to enter attendance with SafeArrival!!

Promptness is an important attribute both in the school and in the workplace and serves as a positive indicator of respect for others. When a student is late for class, it interrupts the learning of other students.

Students may be assigned a detention to compensate for the missed instructional time. Students arriving chronically late to classes will be referred to school administration.

Students should only leave school because of necessary medical appointments or illness. For medical appointments, a student reports to the Attendance Office on the day of the appointment and presents verification of the appointment. Only the time necessary for the appointment may be taken. Should an emergency
situation arise or a student become ill, he/she must report to the Attendance Office before leaving the school so a parent can be notified. It is the student’s responsibility to sign out, and it is important that we have parent permission (note or phone call) to ensure the student’s safety.

During class time, supervision is not provided in the Library, therefore, for safety reasons; parents may not sign their son/daughter out to work in the library.

Parents are encouraged to take holidays during designated school breaks so that students do not fall behind in their studies. If this is not possible, the procedure is as follows:

1. The student obtains an Intent to Be Absent Form from the Attendance Office at least two weeks before the intended absence.
2. Parents must sign the request.
3. Each teacher must sign the form and indicate what work must be done prior to the absence.
4. The student then returns the form to the Attendance Office for Administrator approval.

In the case of final evaluations, it will be at the discretion of Administration whether students will be allowed to write at an alternative time. In NO case will final evaluations be written PRIOR TO the scheduled date for final evaluations.

A student is considered truant if he or she:

1. Leaves school without signing out
2. Is absent without prior parental or school permission
3. Does not report to the office when ill
4. Is absent from class without teacher permission

If a student has been truant during the school day, they may NOT attend athletic or other school events on that day.

Students may not be in the library without their teacher’s permission.

Parents may not sign out their son/daughter to work in the library during the school day. Once on school property students are expected to follow their timetables.