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Parents & Community » Attendance and SchoolMessenger

Attendance and SchoolMessenger

Receive School Messages via Text Option

Parents and guardians are able to receive text messages from LDCSB schools and the Board Office with important information about events, closings, safety alerts and more.

 

What do I need to do?

Step 1: Parents and guardians must opt-in by sending a text message from the mobile phone on file at your child’s school by sending “Y” or “Yes” to the short code: 978338

 

Step 2: We recommend saving this short code and Caller ID to the contacts on your phone. This will help prevent any third-party call blocking systems from interfering with your receipt of important messages sent.

 

What if I don’t want to receive text messages?

This an optional service. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying “Stop” to one of the messages.

 

I “Opted-In”, but I’m not receiving texts?

Ensure that you child’s school has your correct device number on file. It may take 24 hours for a number to become active after being changed or added to the system.

 

How do I know if it worked?

After you text one of the key words to the short code the system will ALWAYS respond back with one of three messages:

  • Opt-in Response: You're registered 4 SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq. varies. schoolmessenger.com/txt
  • Opt-out Response: You're unsubscribed from SchoolMessenger. No more msgs will be sent. Reply Y to re- subscribe, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. schoolmessenger.com/txt
  • Help or Unknown Key Word Response: SchoolMessenger notification service: Reply Y to subscribe or STOP to cancel. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq. varies. Visit schoolmessenger.com/txt for info
  • Any other response – or no response: indicates the recipient should contact their wireless device provider to have SMS messaging/premium content enabled.
 

Will I be charged for the text messages that I receive?

Wireless providers may charge for individual text messages, depending on the plan associated with the wireless device. Please consult your carrier if you are uncertain.

 

Can I send a text to my child’s school?

No. Please continue to add absences via SchoolMessenger or contact the school directly.

 

What if I have an US phone?

If you have a US-based phone number, send “Y” or “Yes” to 61569 to opt in.

One of our greatest priorities is ensuring that students arrive safely to school each and every day. 

To enhance our existing absence-checking procedures, we utilize SchoolMessenger, which makes it easy to report your child’s absence in advance. Instead of calling the school, you report an absence through an app on your mobile device, through a website, or by calling a toll-free number. 

Types of Absences I Can Manage with SchoolMessenger

  • Full-Day Absence (1-5 days)
  • Late Arrival
  • Early Departure
  • Leave and Return (i.e. doctor’s appointment)

How to Report an Absence Using SchoolMessenger

  • App: download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You will need to sign up for an account using your contact information that the school already has on file. Once you are logged in, select Attendance then Report an Absence
  • Website: Go to https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/account/signup. Once you are logged in, select Attendance then Report an Absence
  • Phone: Call 1-833-275-6702 to report an absence using the automated phone system
 

DO NOT email, send a note or call the school to report an absence. These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time. 

Note: the parent/guardian phone numbers and email must be in PowerSchool. If parents are having trouble with the app or website, please check with the school to verify your information. For support with the app, call SchoolMessenger for support at 1-800-920-3897.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is SchoolMessenger?
SchoolMessenger is an absence management system that improves student safety and makes it easy for you to let the school know about your child’s:

  1. Absence (1-5 days)
  2. Late Arrival
  3. Early Departure
  4. Leave and Return (i.e. doctor’s appointment).

How does SchoolMessenger work? 
You must report your child’s absence in advance whenever possible using one of these convenient methods:

SchoolMessenger App
  1. Provide your email address to the school. 
  2. Get the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 
  3. Create an account, select Attendance from the menu, and then Report an Absence.
Web and Mobile Web:
  1. Provide your email address to the school.
  2. Go to the website. 
  3. Create and account, select Attendance from the menu, and then Report an Absence.
Interactive Toll-free Phone
  1. Call the toll-free, interactive telephone system at 1-833-275-6702
  2. Follow the instructions to report an absence.
Absences can be reported in advance:
  • 24 hours/day, 7 days a week
  • For any school day in the school term 
  • Up to the cut-off time on the day of the absence. 
When 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 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 phone line, website or mobile app.

If an absence is not explained 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 SchoolMessenger and are told that it is past the cut-off time, please contact the school directly.

Why do I need a SchoolMessenger account?
A 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 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).

How do I use the toll-free phone line?
When you call the toll-free phone line, 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, or check with the school secretary that they have the correct phone number on file.

How do I manage notifications?
If you don’t want to receive notifications when your child is absent, be sure to report your child’s absence in advance. 

If you do receive notifications of your child’s absence, be sure to provide the reason as quickly as possible, using one of the methods listed above or during the phone call notification itself.
 
How do I update my information?
The parent/guardian phone numbers and email must be in our internal systems. If parents are having trouble with the app or website, please check with the school to verify your information.