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Safe Arrival FAQs
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What is Safe Arrival?
SafeArrival is an absence management system that improves student safety and makes it easy for you to let the school know about your child's absence. You are asked to report your child's absence in advance of the beginning of the school day on the day of the absence using one of the three convenient methods for reporting:
- SchoolMessenger SM App (free)
- Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.com
- Interactive toll-free phone (866)318-3517
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How do I use Safe Arrival?
Please report your child's absence in advance whenever possible using one of these convenient methods. (Please note that when you first create your account in the app or on the website, you must use the email address you have on file with your child's school. All of the reporting options rely on your information being accurate in PowerSchool.)
SchoolMessenger app (free)
- Get the SM app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at go.schoolmessenger.com).
- Tap Sign Up to create your account.
- Select Attendance from the menu, and then select Report an Absence.
Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.com
- Go to the website go.schoolmessenger.com.
- Click Sign Up to create your account.
- Select Attendance from the menu, then select Report an Absence.
Interactive Toll-free Phone
- Call the toll-free, interactive telephone system 866-318-3517
- Follow the instructions to report an absence.
Absences can be reported in advance 24 hours/day, 7 days/week for any school day in the school term up to the cut-off time (11:45 p.m.) on the day of the absence.
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How will I know that my report on Safe Arrival was recorded?
Whenever an absence is reported or updated, you will receive a confirmation notice by email and/or text message (if you opted to receive text messages from the district.)
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When do I need to report my child's absence in Safe Arrival for it to be recorded?
Please report your child's absence in advance whenever possible using the SchoolMessenger app, by going to go.schoolmessenger.com, or by calling (866)318-3517 before the beginning of the school day. You have until the cutoff time of 11:45 p.m. on the day of the child's absence to avoid having to email your child's school's attendance office to report the absence.
If you don't report your child's absence in advance, the automated notification system will try to contact you. This may include push notifications to the app, email, SMS text messages, or phone calls. You will be asked to provide the reason for your child's absence immediately. You may do so using the toll-free number website or mobile app.
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What do I need to do to ensure that the Safe Arrival is able to contact me in the event my child is absent?
For the Safe Arrival attendance reporting system to function, you must use the email and phone numbers associated with your student in PowerSchool. Please contact the front office staff of your child's school if you are unsure of the information we have on file.
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What happens if I miss the cutoff time for reporting an absence in Safe Arrival?
If you don't report your child's absence in advance, the automated notification system will try to contact you. This may include push notifications to the app, email, SMS text messages, or phone calls. You will be asked to provide the reason for your child's absence immediately. You may do so using the toll-free number, website, or mobile app.
If an absence is not reported by 11:45 p.m. on the day of an absence you will need to email the attendance office of at your child's school to report the absence within three days of the absence.
If you report your child's absence in Safe Arrival before the school day begins, you will not receive notifications from the automated system.
If you do receive notifications of your child's absence, be sure to provide the reason as quickly as possible, using one of the methods listed or during the phone call notification itself.
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Do I have to have the SchoolMessenger app or web account to use Safe Arrival?
A SchoolMessenger app or web account is required to use those reporting methods. If you do not want to create an account, you can still report absences by calling the toll-free phone number 866-318-3517. However, we strongly recommend that you create a SchoolMessenger account which allows you to review and update absences.
If you cannot set up your account, you do not see the ATTENDANCE option, or you do not see your child(ren) listed in your account, please confirm with the front office staff of your child's school that you are using the email address on file.
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How do I use the toll-free phone line?
When you call the toll-free phone line, follow the instructions for reporting an absence. If the phone number you are calling from matches the phone number we have on file for your child, you will hear your student'(s) name(s). If the system doesn't recognize your caller ID, you will be asked to enter the student's home number that is on file.
If you have difficulty using the toll-free phone line, please consider using the SchoolMessenger mobile app or website. Otherwise, contact the school directly.
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Can I receive notifications via text message?
If you haven't already, opt in to the SchoolMessenger Communicate SMS text system by texting "Y" or "Yes" to 67587. By opting in for text messages and setting text as a preference, you can also receive attendance reporting confirmations (as well as other district communication) via text.
Attendance FAQs
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Q. What is truancy?
A. Truancy means having three or more unexcused absences in the current school year. These absences do not need to be in a row.
Q. What is habitual truancy?
A. Habitual truancy means having six or more unexcused absences in the current school year. These absences do not need to be in a row.
Q. What are the penalties for habitual truancy?
A. Habitual truancy due to unexcused absences is a summary offense addressed under the Pennsylvania Public School Code Compulsory Attendance Law amended by Act 138 of 2016. As such, penalties (i.e., a fine up to $750, a jail sentence of up to three days, attendance at parenting classes, and community services in the school district of up to six months) may be imposed against parents, guardians, and others responsible for truant children under the age of 17. In cases where the student is determined to be in violation of the compulsory attendance law, he/ she will be subject to penalties (i.e. a fine up to $300, assignment to an adjudication alternative program, driver’s license suspension for 90 days, disposition as dependent child). Referrals to the Children and Youth Agency can be made for habitually truant students. For more information, please refer to the letter from Student Services regarding attendance.
Q. What is a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP)?
A. Upon the student’s third unexcused absence, a school and family conference will be completed to discuss the cause of the child’s truancy and develop a mutually agreed upon plan to resolve truant behavior.
Q. What if my student goes on a college/university tour while he/she attends a competition/event with their club sport/activity team--will the entire absence be excused?
A. If you provide a valid excuse note from the college/university confirming the visit, the student’s absence will be excused only for the day of the tour/visit.
Q. Can my student volunteer at a food pantry/soup kitchen during the school day?
A. Although we appreciate the charitable efforts, volunteer work during the school day not sponsored by the Pennsbury School District is not excusable.