At BCHS, one of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all our students arrive safely at school every day.
To enhance our existing absence-checking procedure, we are implementing a new, more efficient student absence reporting system called SafeArrival. This new system will reduce the time it takes to verify student attendance, make it easy for you to report your child’s absence and for staff to respond to unexplained student absences.
With SafeArrival, you can report your child’s absence in advance, 24 hours/day, 7 days a week, using any of these three convenient methods:
- SchoolMessenger App *Recommended* – Using your mobile device, download and install the SM Home app (NOT ‘SchoolMessenger’) from the Apple or Google Play Stores – https://home.schoolmessenger.ca/
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- The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account.
- Make sure you select ‘Canada’ and use the email address your school has on file.
- Select Attendance (at the bottom of the screen) and then Report an Absence.
2. SafeArrival website – https://home.schoolmessenger.ca.
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- The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account.
- Make sure you select ‘Canada’ and use the email address your school has on file.
- Select Attendance and then Report an Absence.
3. Call 1-833-568-2538 (toll-free) to report an absence using the automated phone system (follow the prompts).
*If you create an account on the app, the same login can be used on the website and vice-versa. If you previously had the ‘SchoolMessenger’ App, please download the ‘SM Home’ app.
Absence Notifications
We will use the SchoolMessenger automated notification system to contact you when your child is absent and their absence was not pre-reported. The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points (first through email, then SMS – if you have opted-in and app push notifications, then by phone) until a reason is provided for the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, office staff will follow up.
- Haven’t opted-in to receiving SMS/text messages from the school? Text “Y” or “Yes” to 978338.
- Parents can adjust their contact preferences in the app or through the website.
If you report your child’s absence in advance using the app, website or toll-fee number, you will NOT receive these notifications.
When do parents/guardians start using SafeArrival to report absences at BCHS?
Starting October 9, 2024, please report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school.
- If plans change for your child while they are at school, please contact the school office.
- Parents of senior high students will be required to call the school to report an absence during exam weeks in January and June.
Starting October 9, 2024, our school will use the SafeArrival notification system to let you know if your child is absent from school and the school does not have a reason and the system will ask you to explain their absence (through the app, website or phone).
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement this new system.