Absence Reporting/Procedures

SafeArrival – Reporting Student Absences

To enhance our existing absence-checking procedure, we are introducing 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 easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences. This system will be implemented as of August 27, 2025.

With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:

1. On your mobile device:
2. 1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SM Home app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.  Download the app with the following icon:
   2. The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. 
   3. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
2. Use the SchoolMessenger website:
3. 1. Go to the SchoolMessenger website.  The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account.
   2. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
3. By telephone:
4. 1. Call the toll-free number 780-955-4526 to report an absence using the automated phone system.

These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.  Future absences can be reported at any time.

The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points (email, text, push notification & phone call) until a reason is submitted for the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, office staff will follow up. 

If you report your child’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications.

Please report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school.  

Staff is using the SafeArrival notifications to let you know if your student is absent and the absence is unexplained. 

Please download the SchoolMessenger Home app or sign into the website before this date. If you are having trouble logging in, please contact your school.

If you do not already receive text message from your school and would like to start, please ensure your school has your mobile phone number and then text “Y” to 978338. (Standard message and data rates may apply.)

If you are unable to utilize the sustem above and need to report an absence, please contact the LCHS office @ 780-986-2248 or email [email protected]. Please ensure to leave a reason for absence (sick, appointment, vacation, etc...) when reporting by email or leaving a voicemail.

LCHS ATTENDANCE POLICY

1.Attendance Policy

In order for students to have success in their courses, regular attendance is crucial.  With this in mind, the following policy will be effect.

• Students are expected to attend on a daily basis.
• Excusable absences include; medical and compassionate absences, documentation may be required.
• Unexcused absences may result in the student losing marks or being awarded a zero for missed exams or assignment deadlines.
• Parents are requested to phone the school if their son/daughter is going to be absent to the school and leave a message on the answering machine if it is after hours.  LCHS’s Phone Number is 780-986-2248
• Teachers will maintain attendance records which are received electronically by the main office.
• If a student is absent from school for any reason, they are responsible for any work missed during the absence. If at all possible, this should be arranged ahead of time.
• Students are expected to be in school if they are participating in extracurricular activities. If a student is truant from school, they may not participate in after-school activities.
• Any senior high student missing 3 classes will be reported to the administration.
• In the event a student is inexcusably absent, the following truancy policy will be in effect.

2. Truancy Policy

• For the first offence, the parents will be contacted by phone and/or letter of the student’s absence.
• For the second offence, the parents will be contacted by phone and by letter and the student will be required to make up time at lunch, after school or serve an in-school suspension from that class or for the day depending on the circumstances.
• For the third offence, the parents will be contacted and the student may be suspended from school. A meeting may be set up with the parents to discuss the situation before the student is re-admitted into the school.
• For all subsequent offences, the student will be placed at the second or third level of Consequences as listed in the Code of Conduct

3. Vacations

It is the expectation that students will attend school on scheduled school days and take holidays according to the school year calendar. In the event that parents/guardians choose to take their child out of school at times other than school holidays, teachers will not provide work for that
time. In situations where a teacher has an online forum for students to join such as Google Classroom, Moodle etc., students can access class readings and submit assignments as prearranged with their teacher. Any missed work or tests will be made up when the student returns, at the teacher’s discretion.