Report an Absence

Durham District School Board uses the online SchoolMessenger service for reporting absences.

Create a SchoolMessenger Account

To create your account:

  1. Go to the SchoolMessenger website;
  2. Use the same email address we have on record for you (use the Parent Portal if you're not sure what contact information we have or to update it);
  3. Create a password; and
  4. Check your email and verify your account.

If you have more than one child enrolled through the app, use the options menu to select which child. This menu is at the top of the screen (top left for the mobile app).

Do not share your login information with your children and keep your information protected.

If you don't want to create an online account, you can continue to call 1-844-350-2646.

Report a Student Absence

You can report an absence by:

Student Absence Codes

If you call in via the 1-844-350-2646 phone number to report your child’s absence, you will hear 7 absence code options. To ensure the absence is recorded correctly, please refer the list below for the correct code.

 

1 - Illness: Health and Well-Being

Please use this code to inform us if your child is not attending school due to a health and/or well-being related illness.

2 - Illness: Covid Positive Test

If your child is absent from school because they tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR or rapid test, please use this absence code.

3 - Appointment

If your child is not attending school due to an appointment, please use this absence code.

4 - Bus Cancellation

If your child’s bus was cancelled for any reason or by weather and schools are still open, please use this absence code.

5 - Vacation

If your child is away on a vacation, please use this absence code.

6 - Parent or Guardian Approved Absence

If you have approved your child’s absence for any reason and the other codes do not apply, please use this absence code.

7 - Religious Holiday

If your child is not attending due to a religious holiday, please use this absence code.