Report an Absence

SafeArrival

SafeArrival is an absence management feature within SchoolMessenger that improves student safety and makes it easy for you to let the school know about your child’s absence.

Absences can be reported in advance (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and for any school day in the school term, up to the cut-off time on the day of the absence (this may vary by school). 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).

If you don’t report your child’s absence in advance, the automated notification system will try to contact you (using your communication preferences if you have set them up in the SchoolMessenger Home app). This may include push notifications to the app, email, SMS text messages, or phone calls. You will be asked to provide the reason for your child’s absence immediately. You may do so using the SchoolMessenger Home App, web browser or toll-free phone line. If an absence is not reported within approximately 20 minutes of the time that the school starts the notification process, school staff will follow up to make sure that your child is safe. If you try to explain an absence using SafeArrival but are then told that it is past the cut-off time, please contact the school directly.

SafeArrival can be accessed in three ways: via the SchoolMessenger Home App, a web browser or a toll-free phone line.

SchoolMessenger Home App

Get the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

  • Tap Sign Up to create your account (If you previously used the blue SMApp you can sign in with the same credentials.)
  • If signing up for the first time there will be an email verification step. Please use your email address that is already on file with the school.
  • Select Attendance from the menu, and then select Report an Absence.

Why do I Need a SchoolMessenger Home App Account?

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 and communication preferences and more.

Please see related SchoolMessenger app documentation for setting up your account, resetting your password, reviewing contact information, and specifying communication preferences. Once you have set up your account, choose ATTENDANCE from the menu.

If you cannot set up your account, you do not see the ATTENDANCE option, or you do not see your child(ren) listed in your account, please contact the school directly to check that your correct email address is associated with your child(ren) and that you are correctly tagged as a guardian with SafeArrival access.

Web Browser

  • Go to the website https://home.schoolmessenger.ca 

  • Click Sign Up to create your account. (If you previously used go.schoolmessenger.ca you can choose Log in with the same credentials.)

  • If signing up for the first time there will be an email verification step.

  • Select Attendance from the menu, then select Report an Absence.

Toll-free Phone Line

  • Call the toll-free phone line at 1-833-326-7959 and follow the instructions for reporting an absence. 

If the phone number you are calling from matches a phone number on file with the school for your student(s), you will hear your student’(s) name(s). If the system doesn’t recognize your caller ID, you will be asked to enter the student’s home phone number.

If you have difficulty using the toll-free phone line, please consider using the SchoolMessenger mobile app or website. Otherwise, contact the school directly.

A SchoolMessenger app account is not required to use the toll-free phone line to report absences.

Attendance Tips

  • Communicate early: Notify the school if your child will be absent.
  • Plan ahead: Schedule vacations and appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
  • Create routines: A consistent bedtime and morning schedule can reduce stress and ensure punctuality.
  • Reach out for help: If attendance becomes a challenge, connect with us.

We're Here to Help

At Parkland School Division, we believe that every school day counts. Attending school regularly is one of the most critical factors in your child’s academic success and personal growth. We strive to maintain attendance expectations and provide valuable information to support your child in developing lifelong habits of punctuality, resilience and engagement.

Visit PSD's Attendance web page