How to Get Messages & Report Absences
Stay Connected and Report Absences Online
The HDSB uses SchoolMessenger to help families stay up to date and report student absences quickly and easily. You can use either the HDSB Mobile App or the SchoolMessenger website.
Step 1: Register for SchoolMessenger
You’ll need to create a SchoolMessenger account to receive school messages and report absences.
Option A - Use the HDSB Mobile App
- Download the HDSB Mobile App from the App Store or Google Play.
- Tap the Messages & Absences icon – you’ll be prompted to download the SchoolMessenger app.
- Open the SchoolMessenger app and create an account using your email.
- Log in and follow the prompts to complete your setup.
Watch a How-To Video
Translated videos available in Pashto, Arabic, Ukrainian, Hindi/Urdu, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.
Option B - Use the SchoolMessenger Website
- Go to go.schoolmessenger.ca
- Click Sign Up and follow the prompts to create your account.
- Log in to view messages and report absences.
Watch a How-To Video
Translated videos available in Pashto, Arabic, Ukrainian, Hindi/Urdu, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.
Step 2: How to Check Messages and Report Absences
You’ll need to create a SchoolMessenger account to receive school messages and report absences.
Option A - Report an Absence/Late Arrival Through the HDSB Mobile App
- Open the HDSB Mobile App.
- Click on the “Messages and Absences” icon. You will be prompted to download the SchoolMessenger app from the App Store or Google Play. The SchoolMessenger app ensures only parent/guardians have access to their child’s information.
- Log in with your SchoolMessenger credentials.
- Select “Messages” from the menu to see all messages sent by your child’s school and the Halton District School Board
- Select “Attendance” from the menu to report absences
- Click the plus icon to “Report an Absence” for your child
- Select your child’s name
- Select which type of absence is applicable
- Choose a reason for the absence
- Select the date from the calendar. If your child will be arriving late to school or leaving early, please include the time of day.
- Click the “Send” button to complete the report absence process.
Watch a How-To Video
Translated videos available in Pashto, Arabic, Ukrainian, Hindi/Urdu, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.
Option B - Check Messages and Report Absences Online Through the SchoolMessenger Website
- Log in to your SchoolMessenger account at go.schoolmessenger.ca
- Select “Messages” from the menu to see all messages sent by your child’s school and the Halton District School Board
- Select “Attendance” from the menu to report absences
- Click the plus icon to “Report an Absence” for your child
- Select your child’s name from the dropdown menu
- Select which type of absence is applicable from the dropdown menu
- Choose a reason for the absence from the dropdown menu
- Select the date from the calendar. If your child will be arriving late to school or leaving early, please include the time of day.
- Click the “Send” button to complete the report absence process
Watch a How-To Video
Translated videos available in Pashto, Arabic, Ukrainian, Hindi/Urdu, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.
