What are you looking for?

Absence Reporting (SchoolMessenger)

​The Halton District School Board is committed to providing timely, effective communication to parents/guardians and students.​

The HDSB utilizes a Student Absence Reporting System called SchoolMessenger.​

This is the system used for:
  • Reporting student absences.
  • Receiving all messages and phone calls from your child's school and the HDSB.

Report an Absence (SchoolMessenger)

Families receive instructions on how to register for SchoolMessenger when they register for school. ​All families must register for SchoolMessenger to report student absences online and set communication preferences for receiving messages from your child's school and the HDSB.​

How to Report Student Absence

The SchoolMessenger​ system is accessible 24 hours, seven days a week to report future absences and late arrivals.  

​Set Your Communication Preferences

​Choose how you want to receive​​ messages from your child's school and the HDSB:

  • Email
  • HDSB Mobile App
  • Text Message
  • Phone

Opt-in to receive text messages from the HDSB​

If you provided your child’s school with a mobile phone number upon registration, you were sent a text message from SchoolMessenger providing you with the opportunity to opt-in to receive text messages from the HDSB. The text message requested that parents/guardians reply “Y” to opt-in to receive attendance text notifications. 

  • If you replied “Y” to the text message, you are subscribe​d to receive notifications by text about your child’s attendance.
  • If you did not reply to the text message, you will not receive notifications by text from the HDSB.​

No repeat invitations to opt-in will be sent. If you wish to receive text message attendance notifications, please update your communication preferences on the SchoolMessenger website or app once you have created your account with SchoolMessenger. 

How We Connect with You: School and Board Updates

The Halton District School Board relies on SchoolMessenger to communicate with parents/guardians. This system enables schools to send messages by email, mobile app notification, text message, or by phone call. 
​ 
Parents/guardians are asked to provide their child’s school with a current email address and phone number for these types of messages. ​​

FAQs on Receiving Messages

Frequently asked questions about receiving messages from your child’s school and the HDSB

The SchoolMessenger system sends absence messages to inform parents/guardians of unexplained student absences. Parents/guardians can choose how they want to receive these messages by setting their communication preferences in SchoolMessenger. Options include communication via email, app notification (through the HDSB Mobile App), text message or phone call.  

If you do not wish to receive messages, or wish to reduce the number of messages you receive, please ensure you report your child’s absence ahead of time. You can also set your communication preferences for receiving different types of messages by logging into your SchoolMessenger account. 
For further information about absence messages, please contact your school.​

Please confirm the following:

  • That your child’s school has a correct/current email address and phone number for you
  • That you have set your communication preferences (within SchoolMessenger) to receive messages from SchoolMessenger
  • That security settings on your device/mail settings are not preventing you from receiving messages
Please contact your school if you are still not receiving school or HDSB messages. 

Please contact the school and provide them with your current information.

On the bottom of every email sent through SchoolMessenger, there is a footer with a link to either subscribe or unsubscribe. You can also set your communication preferences for receiving different types of messages by logging into your SchoolMessenger account. 

Check your communication preferences by logging into your SchoolMessenger account on the app or website. ​

Please contact the school that issued the message/phone call if you continue to receive these messages. 

This varies from school to school.​

  • Absence messages and phone calls are issued in the morning for elementary and secondary students. Secondary student absences and lates are also communicated in the evening. Parents are able to modify their communication preferences from within their SchoolMessenger account. 
  • Informational messages are generally issued at the end of the day. 
  • Urgent messages such as a school closure are communicated prior to the start of the school day. 
  • ​Inclement weather or bus cancellations affecting multiple or all schools are emailed only by 6:30 a.m. 

FAQs on Reporting Student Absences

Frequently Asked Questions on reporting a student absent

Wai​t for the automated email, app notification, text or phone call (depending on your SchoolMessenger communication preferences) that the school will launch once the attendance report has been completed for the day. Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to provide a reason for the absence when they receive one of these notifications.

Please ensure that the email you are logging in with is the same email your child’s school has on record. Please contact your child’s school to confirm or update your contact information. In the meantime, please use the toll-free phone number to report absences/lates for your child: 1-877-409-6310.​

Learn How to Get Messages & Report Absences

How to Get Messages & Report Absences

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.