NEED TO REPORT AN ABSENCE?
Please report an absence promptly (same day) and provide the scholar’s name, the reason for the absence, as well as your name and relationship to the scholar.
We have two options for reporting absences.
- Call Heritage Academy’s front desk 480-969-5641 Opt. 3
- Use the School Messenger system (directions below for both the website and the APP if you have already downloaded it)
- Visit go.schoolmessenger.com
- Use the app from your phone
- Call 1-888-310-1783 and follow the prompts. This line is specific to Heritage Academy.
Attendance FAQs (Answers are from the Heritage Academy Scholar/Parent Handbook)
1. I need to pick up my child early from school. What do I need to do? (Listed under Early Release Policy)
Parents or guardians must sign out, in person, any scholar leaving school early. No scholar regardless of age may leave school early on his/her own, nor may a scholar leave campus for lunch or any other reason unless signed out, in person, by parent or guardian. Notes or phone calls releasing scholars to leave campus are not acceptable.
2. What does an excused absence mean? (Listed under Absence Policy)
An excused absence is an absence due to illness, doctor appointment, bereavement, family emergencies and suspensions not to exceed 10% of the instructional days scheduled for the school year. Heritage Academy must be notified of the absence prior to the absence or when the absence occurs by the parent or legal guardian who has custody of the scholar. If an absence occurs relating to any other term or condition that is not specifically designated above, the absence shall be counted as unexcused.
3. I’ve excused my child’s tardy, why is it still showing on PowerSchool? (Listed under Tardiness Policy)
At Heritage Academy tardiness is defined as not being in class in the assigned seat with all things necessary for class to proceed when the bell rings. Teachers are required to develop and enforce a strong and firm tardy policy that will affect a scholar’s grade. There is no such thing as an “excused tardy.” When a scholar arrives late, he/she must sign in at the front desk prior to going to class. Scholars at Heritage K-8 must be signed in by a guardian when tardy. Each local campus will have policies in place to enforce tardy violations.
4.. We’re planning a family vacation. How many days can they miss without losing credit and will they be able to make up the work? (listed under Absence Policy)
Any scholar who misses ten percent (10%) or more of classes (usually five or more per semester) in a given subject may not receive credit for that subject. This applies to all absences unless on school business…. Scholars absent for ten (10) consecutive school days, except for excused absences identified above, are at-risk of being withdrawn from the school. Make up of any assignments missed will be at the discretion of the teacher. Please thoroughly review each teacher packet/syllabus at the beginning of the semester regarding each teacher’s individual policy regarding make-up work.
Former newsletter instructions for reference:
NEW ATTENDANCE AND MESSAGING SYSTEM
To continue to ensure the safety of our scholars, we are introducing a new absence reporting system called SafeArrival.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FIRST:
- OPT-IN: Text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587 (even if you already have done so earlier, please opt in again)
- Create your account via: Your email must match your PowerSchool email for your scholar(s)
- website https://go.schoolmessenger.com
- free Apple or Google SchoolMessenger app Links provided here: https://go.schoolmessenger.com
HOW TO REPORT ABSENCE (24 hours/day, 7 days a week):
- SchoolMessenger app: Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
- Go.schoolmessenger.com: Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
- Call the toll-free number 1-888-310-1783 and follow the prompts. This line is specific to Heritage Academy.
FORGOT TO REPORT ABSENCE? Automated notification system will contact you if your scholar is absent and the absence was not reported in advance. This system will attempt to contact you multiple times until a reason is submitted for the absence.
NOTE: If you report your scholar’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications.
Starting September 23, 2024, please report absences using SafeArrival.
One of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all our scholars arrive safely at school each day. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement this new system.
If you have any questions, please reply to this email or call the front office at 480-969-5641.
