Set up your school’s Absence Alert templates and day thresholds before sending alerts to parents/guardians.
Two parts must match: the numbered Absence Alert Option in PN Templates and the same option number in Manage Thresholds. The option number is not the number of absence days.
In this guide
1. Create the message templates
- Open Communications → Personal Notifications → PN Templates and click Add.
- Choose Absence Alert Option 1, 2, 3 or 4 as the message type. Older screens or records may say TUSLA Option.
- Enter a parent-facing Title and the Content.
- Keep the wording reusable. Do not type an individual student’s name, year, class or total days into a shared template; the attendance message supplies the student details.
- Click Submit and repeat for the other options you use.
The current template menu uses Absence Alert Option 1–4.
2. Match options to absence thresholds
- Open Attendance Overview → Absence Alerts.
- Click Manage Thresholds.
- Review the Option and Days columns.
- Use Edit to change a threshold, or Add New Threshold where available.
- When editing, enter Absence Threshold (days) and click Save Changes. The option number cannot be changed on an existing threshold. Check the list again after saving.
For example, your school might use Option 1 for 5 days, Option 2 for 10 days, Option 3 for 15 days and Option 4 for 20 days. These are examples; use your school’s agreed values.
This test-school example uses 1, 10, 15 and 20 days. Use your own school’s agreed thresholds.
Check wording when changing a threshold. If an option changes from 5 days to another number, update its title and message too. Review the selected students and actual absence totals before sending.
3. Adapt the example wording
The examples below are starting points for school approval, not mandatory wording or a substitute for attendance-reporting procedures. Adapt the contact person and next steps to your school’s policy.
Example: 5-day threshold
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Our records show that your student has reached the school’s 5-day absence threshold this academic year. Please ensure that all absences are explained through the school app.
If anything is making attendance difficult, please contact the Year Head so we can discuss support. If you have already explained the absences or spoken with us, thank you. This is a standard attendance update.
Example: 10-day threshold
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Our records show that your student has reached the school’s 10-day absence threshold this academic year. We would like to work with you to support regular attendance.
Please check that all absences have been explained and contact the Year Head if support is needed. Thank you if you have already been in touch with the school.
Example: 15-day threshold
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Our records show that your student has reached the school’s 15-day absence threshold this academic year. Please contact the Year Head to review attendance and discuss any support that may help.
Please ensure that outstanding absences are explained through the app. If you are already working with the school on this, thank you for your continued contact.
Example: 20-day threshold
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Our records show that your student has reached the school’s 20-day absence threshold this academic year. Please contact the Year Head promptly so we can review the record, discuss the circumstances and agree appropriate next steps under the school’s attendance policy.
Please ensure that all absences have been explained. If you have already explained them or are engaging with the school, thank you. This message is part of our standard attendance follow-up.
4. Review and send your first alert
Check each option’s day value and template wording, then follow Sending Absence Alerts. Setting up a threshold does not by itself mean an alert has been sent.
For help, email staffsupport@uniqueschools.ie or book training.