Reporting Student Absences

SafeArrival is OCDSB's efficient absence management system. This SchoolMessenger system allows you to use a mobile app, a website, or an interactive toll-free phone line to report a student’s absence in advance. It enhances student safety, verifies absences in a timely manner, and improves notification time with parents and caregivers.

For schools where the SafeArrival system has been implemented, please follow the steps below to sign up and report student absences:

Important Information

All of these options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Absences can be reported in advance for any school day in the school calendar.
Whenever an absence is reported or updated, you will receive a confirmation notice by email and/or text message (based on your preferences).
If the student is marked absent and the absence hasn’t been reported in advance, our SchoolMessenger system will attempt to reach you to confirm the absence. The system tries to reach families – using the method they prefer – multiple times until they confirm/explain the elementary student’s absence.
To avoid these notifications, please report your child’s absence in advance.

Resources

SafeArrival Quick Guide (Translations)

Ottawa Carleton District School Board