If Your Child is Going to be Absent

Attendance: Please use the SafeArrival Absence Reporting System each time your student(s) will be absent. If you send a note, have your student deliver it to the office first thing in the morning. It is the responsibility of the student to catch up on missed work when they are away. Students can access Google Classrooms in order to see the work that was completed that day.  As always, I am available to help and assist, so please advocate for yourself and what you need! Lastly, please keep the teacher advised of planned absences (sports teams, club events, etc.) that will affect classroom learning and assessments. 

SafeArrival Absence Reporting System: Schools in the Avon Maitland District School Board use an automated system for absence reporting. Parents/guardians are asked to report their child’s absence or request an early dismissal in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:

1. Use the SchoolMessenger (SafeArrival) website: go.schoolmessenger.ca. The first time you use the website:
   Select “Sign Up” to create your account. **Important: You must use the email address that you provided to the school in order to set up your account. 

   • Select “Attendance” 

   • Select “Report an Absence”

2. Use the SchoolMessenger app. Once you download the app:

   • Tap Sign Up to create your account. **Important: You must use the email address that you provided to the school in order to set up your account. 

   • Select Attendance from the menu, and then

   • Select Report an Absence.

   • Please do not adjust the notification settings in the app as it will impact the other messages you receive from the school via text and email.

3. Call the toll-free number 1-844-518-5459 to report an absence using the automated phone system.

These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences or requests for early dismissal can be reported at any time up until the start of the school day that is being reported. If you need to submit an absence or request for early dismissal after that time, you must call the school office. 

Want to Stay Connected?!

The school runs a variety of social media sites including Instagram and Facebook, as well as the school webpage and school messenger to promote or inform parents of upcoming events. See a partial list below:

• School Webpage: https://shdhs.amdsb.ca/

• School Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shdhspanthers/

• Guidance Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shdhsguidance/

• School Messenger:  Go to www.schoolmessenger.com and sign up to get the app.

• Instagram:  @shdhs_panthers   @shpantherathletics   @panthersstuco

• School Cash Online:  Parents are encouraged to make all payments (student fees, fundraising, trips) using School Cash Online. Please sign up at https://avonmaitland.schoolcashonline.com/Registration/ProfileTabs

• Busing:  Students who are eligible for busing can confirm bus pick-up / drop-off times and location at https://ourschoolbuses.ca/. You will need each students’ Ontario Education Number (OEN) and your address. It is also a great place to watch for weather cancellations. Late buses will again be offered this year. Please see more information under the Expectations Tab at the top of this page.

• The Loop:  Keep in the loop by attending our Parent Council. They meet once a month and new parents are always encouraged to join. Dates will be shared on Facebook and School Messenger.

Monthly Portfolios

Towards the end of each month, students will be bringing home a manila envelope with work that has been assessed over the month, assignments, rubrics and tests. This envelope is to be signed to show that you saw the contents of the Portfolio. NOTE: Daily Writer’s Notebook will not be sent home until June. 

IN ADDITION TO SIGNING THE FRONT OF THE ENVELOPE, please initial the tops of tests and send them back in the envelope as these assessments are used to inform next steps, needed interventions or are a record of growth over the year.  All of the assessments brought back to school inside the Monthly Portfolios will be sent home in June.