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Nothing is more important than student safety and well-being. To ensure that every student arrives safely at school every day, School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) (SD8) has now activated a new, more effective student absence reporting system called SafeArrival. Families at Mount Sentinel Secondary are now invited to sign up.  SafeArrival has already been implemented in all elementary and middle schools in School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) (SD8).  If you have already signed up for your elementary or middle school student for this app, you will now also be able to see your High School student within the app and are now able to report their absence using it.

SafeArrival is Part of SchoolMessenger
SafeArrival is a student absence-tracking tool that is part of SchoolMessenger, a system that enhances communication with families by allowing you to customize how SD8 communicates with you. SchoolMessenger is used successfully by school districts, parents and guardians across B.C. It has now been activated across the district.

 
Customized Notifications and Opting In

In December 2024 you were emailed inviting you to “opt in” to receive text notifications through SchoolMessenger. If you choose not to opt in to text messages, you will receive notifications by email. This was a precursory step that allowed us to activate the SafeArrival tool, and other SchoolMessenger tools to improve communication with families. You can also customize how you are notified.
 

If you did not opt in to receive text message notifications, you can still do so by texting “Y” to 978338 from your cell phone. You will get a text response from School messenger. Your number will only receive texts if your cell number is associated with a student in our system and you have the legal rights to receive the information.
 

If texting “Y” to 978338 does not work, contact your child’s school to update your contact information and ensure the province-wide MyEducation BC system is set up correctly for parent/guardian and child.

Sign Up for 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. 

With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using one of three methods:

  1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SM Home app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at go.schoolmessenger.ca.) The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.  (See attachment for further SM Home App instructions)

  2. Use the SafeArrival website go.schoolmessenger.ca. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.

  3. Call the toll-free number (833) 309-1246 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.   As of  7th of April, 2025, you are able to report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school. 
 

What to Do Now

In summary, please do one of the following

  1. Download the SM Home app.

  2. Create an account at the website go.schoolmessenger.ca

If you have Texted “Y” to 978338 you have set your default in the system to receive communication by text.


If you do not create an account, the default will be an automated phone call.

Privacy is Paramount

SchoolMessenger Home and other SchoolMessenger features are configured to meet privacy requirements of the B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FIPPA), and SD8’s Privacy Management Program. If you have any questions about privacy, please contact our SD8 Privacy Officer.


Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement this new system.