G-A School District now automating attendance notification calls

In an effort to better inform parents about their children's school attendance, the Greencastle-Antrim School District began using the School Messenger system this week to send out daily automated notices to the parents of absent students. 

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 16, the courtesy calls served to notify parents when their child is marked absent at school and to remind the parents to send in excuse notes with their student when he or she returns to school. In addition, it allows school officials to closely monitor attendance records and increase recording accuracy.

When parents receive an absence notification, they do not need to call the school unless they believe an error has been made. They should simply send a note in with their child within three days to explain the absence. Student absences that are not followed up with a note from either the parent or a doctor will be recorded as unexcused or unlawful.