Parents of high school students at Acton District School can no longer excuse an absence with a phone call. Since Monday, Nov. 9, every excusal must be submitted and confirmed in writing, through the SchoolMessenger app or website or by email. An absence that is only phoned in won't count as excused.
The school announced the change in its Nov. 13 newsletter and says the reason is provincial: under regulations from Ontario's Ministry of Education, it can no longer officially excuse secondary absences over the phone. As the newsletter puts it, "phone submissions are not in writing and therefore do not qualify for excusing an absence."
The quickest route is SchoolMessenger, the school's absence-reporting and messaging service, through its app on the App Store or Google Play or its website at go.schoolmessenger.ca. An absence entered there is checked automatically, and the system emails parents a confirmation that it's excused. All families are required to register for SchoolMessenger to report absences online.
Families who would rather not use the app can email the main office directly at [email protected].
Parents who still call SchoolMessenger to report an absence will get an email back saying the app, the website or an email is the way to have it excused.
Younger students are next. Acton District School teaches Grades 7 and 8 as well as Grades 9 to 12, and the school says the change is planned for its elementary students in the coming weeks. Grade 7 and 8 parents can get ready by registering for SchoolMessenger now.
