Absences/Arriving Late
We ask that parents/guardians use the Safe Arrival system if their child will be absent or late. You can access the system using the following three methods (Please do not call the school directly to report an absence.):
With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:
- Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Please Note: signing up for the new School Messenger SafeArrival it is best to use a computer. The app is the easiest and most convenient way to report absences.
- Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.ca. Sign Up to create your account, then select Attendance followed by Report an Absence.
- Call the toll-free number 1-866-879-1041 to report an absence using the automated phone system before 8:00 am.
These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time up to 10 days. In addition to using SafeArrival to report early departures please make sure to sign the student out in the office.
We will use the SchoolMessenger automated notification system to contact parents whose child is absent when the absence was not reported in advance. The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points until a reason is submitted for the absence.
If you report your child’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications.
Please note: all attendance is automated, if you call the office to report an absence, email the teacher or send a note, you will still get a phone call from the automated system if the child is not present at bell time to account for their safety for the morning & afternoon attendance call.
What happens if I do not report my child(s) absence?
If your student is marked absent and it is not explained in advance, the SafeArrival system will send notifications by automated phone call and email to get a reason for the absence. Attendance calls will continue until you choose an option to explain the absence.
Releasing Children During the School Day
Our school policy is to release students only to parents or guardians listed on the registration form. Please come to the office and sign the student out prior to going to the child’s classroom. If someone else will be picking students up from school, a note is necessary. Nicholas Sheran School staff will be alert to observe suspicious persons who loiter in our building and on the surrounding grounds. If such persons cannot readily provide a logical explanation for their presence, the police will be notified immediately. No student shall be sent home from school for any reason, unless the parent or designated guardian is informed according to Policy 355.
Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds between arrival and dismissal hours without permission from the Principal or designate subsequent to notification of the parents.