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Reporting Student Absences is More Important Than Ever

Regular attendance helps students stay engaged in their learning and connected to their school community.

Under new Ministry of Education guidelines, only unexcused absences may affect the attendance portion of a secondary student's grade. An excused absence is an absence permitted under provincial requirements and accepted by the school. This includes illness and other unavoidable circumstances, such as inclement weather, as well as approved absences for cultural and holy days.

Reporting Your Child's Absence

If your child needs to be absent, please report the absence through DSBN's Safe Arrival system. This allows the school to accurately record the absence and ensure that legitimate, excused absences do not negatively affect your child's grade. Parents/guardians can report daily absences or schedule future absences in one of three ways:

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Call toll-free before bell time:

1-866-606-5567

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Logging on to the web portal by
clicking here. Using this website, you can set up your account to report and schedule absences.

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Using your smart phone or tablet. Simply download the SchoolMessenger app. The app is compatible with both Apple and Android devices.

Please report all absences prior to bell time for the current day. If your child has an upcoming appointment, you can also schedule future absences by using one of these three methods.

Please do not contact the school directly to report your child’s absence.

How do I sign up?

If you have already provided your child’s school with a valid email address on their registration or student verification forms, you’re already registered!

You will receive an email from your school with detail instructions on how to activate your account.

What if I don’t have a valid address on file?

If you haven’t provided your child’s school with an email address, you can visit the Safe Arrival site here, in order to create an account.

Quick Links

Parents & Guardians, for answers to some frequently asked questions please see this document.