How to: Provide an explanation for an absence

How do I explain an absence after receiving an SMS notification?

Step 1 Click on the link provided within the SMS
Step 2 The link will direct you to add an attendance note
Step 3 Under “Reason” select the most appropriate reason from the dropdown menu
Step 4 Select "Done" once the reason has been selected
Step 5 Enter further details into the Details/Comments field
Step 6 Select the appropriate date range from the dropdown menus
Step 7 Press the "Add Attendance Note" button
Step 8 Once complete you may close the window, or click to be redirected to your school’s Compass portal

How do I explain an absence using my parent portal?

Step 1 Select the “Click here for more information” link, located under the Attendance Note Required box

Step 2 Select the partial or whole day absence that you wish to explain by selecting the checkbox.

Tip

If you are explaining more than one day with the same reason you can select multiple dates.

Step 3 Select “Explain with Attendance Note”

Step 4 Select the reason for absence from the dropdown menu. The following options will be available:

• Medical - Illness
• Medical - Appointment
• Holiday
• Other Explained Absence
• Natural Disaster

Step 5 Record further details about the absence in the Details/Comments field.

Step 6 Select the Save button

How do I add an explanation for an absence prior to receiving an SMS notification?

Step 1 After logging in to the Parent Portal, select the “Add Attendance Note (Approved Absence/Late)” link next to your child's photo

Step 2 Select the attendance reason from the drop-down menu. You will have the option of the following reasons to select from within Compass:

• Medical - Illness
• Medical - Appointment
• Holiday
• Other Explained Absence
• Natural Disaster

Step 3 Enter further details for the absence in the Details/Comments box.

Step 4 Select the start date for the attendance note by clicking on the calendar icon.

Step 5 Select the end date if the absence is for more than one day

Tip

If the absence is for a full day the time field does not need to be changed.

Step 6 The right half of the window will show the sessions that will be missed. Click the "Save" button to complete.

How do I add an attendance note for a Holiday or Leave?

Step 1 After logging in to the Parent Portal, select the “Add Attendance Note (Approved Absence/Late)” link next to your child's photo

Step 2 Select the reason for absence from the dropdown menu. The following options will be available:

• Medical - Illness
• Medical - Appointment
• Holiday
• Other Explained Absence
• Natural Disaster

Step 3 Enter further details for the absence in the Details/Comments box.

Step 4 Select the start date for the attendance note by clicking on the calendar icon.

Step 5 Select the end date if the leave is for more than one day. Please note that any extended period of leave may require further consultation with the school.

Tip

If the absence is for the full day the time field can be left as displaying the full day time range.