The
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has launched a new, more efficient
absence management system across schools called SchoolMessenger SafeArrival.
This system allows you to use a mobile app, a website, or an interactive
toll-free phone line to report an absence in advance. It enhances student
safety, verifies absences in a timely manner, and improves notification time
with parents and guardians.
Please note
that on and after the implementation date, the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival
system will be the only way you can
report your child’s absence.
These options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. If your child is marked absent and the absence hasn’t been reported in
advance, our SchoolMessenger system will attempt to reach you to confirm the
absence.
What should I do
next?
Please sign up
for the SchoolMessenger Safe Arrival system if you haven’t done so already.
How do I do that?
You can do it in two ways:
1. Through
the OCDSB app
a) Download
the free OCDSB app. It’s available on Apple’s App Store
and Google’s
Play Store
b) Open
the OCDSB app. Scroll to the bottom and you will see SchoolMessenger app on the
right
c) Open
the SchoolMessenger app. Tap on Sign Up. Enter the same email address that you
have provided to your school*. Choose your password. Select Location as Canada.
Tap 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
d) You
are all set up and ready to use the SafeArrival system.
2. Through
the SchoolMessenger web portal
a) Click
here
to access the SchoolMessenger web portal.
b) 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.
c) You
are all set up and ready to use the SafeArrival system.
*You must enter
the email address provided to your school or you will not be able to use this
app.
Reporting an
Absence
There are three ways you can report your child’s absence.
1. Using
the OCDSB /SchoolMessenger App (Smartphone/Tablet)
2. Using
the SchoolMessenger web portal
3. Using
a toll-free phone
The infographic below gives you a step-by-step procedure
on how to report your child’s absence. (Click the
infographic for a downloadable PDF of the same)
Click here
to read more about SchoolMessenger SafeArrival on the OCDSB website.
Thank you for your patience and consideration as we
implement the SafeArrival system.
Resources:
SchoolMessenger
SafeArrival postcard
Using
the SchoolMessenger App for SafeArrival
Video
Tutorial on how to report absences