Reporting Student Absences

Sign up for the SafeArrival system using the email address that your student’s school has on record. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the ‘Attendance’ option.     

1. Through the SchoolMessenger app

1. Install the free SchoolMessenger app on your mobile device via Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store, SchoolMessenger web portal or access it from within the OCDSB app. 
2. Open the SchoolMessenger app.
3. Tap on Sign Up. Enter the same email address that you have provided to your school. Choose your password.
4. Select Location as Canada. Tap Sign Up.
5. You will receive a verification email. From this email, click the link to verify. This will open in a browser where you will be prompted to enter your login details. Log in and confirm your details. 
6. Log in to your app with your email address and the password you just created and make sure the location is still set to Canada.
7. You are now all setup and ready to use the SafeArrival system.

2. Through the SchoolMessenger website

1. Visit the SchoolMessenger website.
2. Click on Sign Up (top right of the page). Enter the same email address that you have provided to your school. Choose your password. Select Location as Canada. Click Sign Up. You will receive a verification email. From this email, click the link to verify. This will open in a browser where you will be prompted to enter your login details. Log in and confirm your details. 
3. When you log in, make sure the location is still set to Canada.
4. You are all set up and ready to use the SafeArrival system.

There are three ways you can report student absences.

• App / Website / Toll-free phone

Note: If the student is going to be late, select Full Day and then select Late. All students who are going to be late are marked as absent for the full day until they arrive and sign in through the school office.

• Using the app 

1. Tap the three lines () on the top left and then tap on Attendance. You will see the student names listed here. 
2. Click on the plus icon () at the bottom right where it says REPORT AN ABSENCE.
3. Select the student’s name and then select Full Day or Multiple Day.
4. Choose the type of absence and then select the Date of Absence. For Multiple Day option, select first and last date of absence.
5. Tap SEND.
6. You will now see the absence listed and also get a message confirmation.

• Using the SchoolMessenger web portal

1. Log in to the SchoolMessenger web portal. 
2. Follow the steps listed in the app. (Note: REPORT AN ABSENCE BUTTON is at the top right in the web portal)

• Using a toll-free phone

Call 1-833-202-1417 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system and follow the prompts.