Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Howland Local Schools has introduced a new text-based attendance communication system for all students.
Parents and guardians no longer need to send a paper note to school when a student is absent. Instead, families can communicate with their school’s attendance team by text.
📱 Save Your School's Attendance Text Number
We recommend saving your child's school attendance number in your phone so you will recognize messages from the school.
Howland High School | 330-960-7645
Howland Jr. High School | 330-960-7646
Howland Intermediate School | 330-960-7646
H.C. Mines Elementary School | 330-960-7651
Glen Primary School | 330-960-7652
Howland Springs Primary School | 330-960-7655
How Does the Attendance Texting System Work?
💬 Receive a Text When Your Child Is Absent
If your child is marked absent, you will receive a text message from your child's school. You can reply directly to the message to:
Provide the reason for the absence
Confirm the absence
Ask an attendance-related question
Provide additional information to the attendance team
📲 Know Your Child Will Be Absent?
You don't have to wait for the school to contact you. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent, you can proactively text your school's attendance number to report the absence.
📸 Need to Provide Documentation?
If documentation is required, such as a parent note or doctor's note, you can simply take a photo of the document and text it to your school's attendance number. There is no need to send a paper note to the school office.
📞 Unable to Text? Traditional Phone Lines Are Still Available.
We understand that texting may not work for every family. If you are unable to text an absence, you may continue to use your school's traditional attendance phone line.
However, we strongly encourage families to use the new attendance texting procedure whenever possible. The text-based system significantly simplifies the attendance process for our staff by allowing messages and documentation to be received, organized and routed directly to the appropriate attendance team.
❗ Important: When Can I Start Texting?
The new attendance texting system became active Monday, September 7, 2026.
⚠️ Important: Attendance Numbers Are for Attendance Only
The attendance texting numbers are specifically for attendance-related communication.
For other questions, concerns or needs, please continue to contact your child's main school office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to send a paper note when my child is absent?
No. Paper attendance notes are no longer required. You can communicate your child's absence by text.
What if my child will be absent tomorrow?
You can proactively text your school's attendance number to let the attendance team know.
Can I send a doctor's note by text?
Yes. If documentation is required, take a photo of the document and text it to your school's attendance number.
What if I don't receive a text when my child is absent?
If you believe your child has been marked absent and you have not received a text, please contact your school's attendance office.
Can I text the attendance number with other questions?
Please use the attendance texting number for attendance-related questions and communication only. For other school-related questions or concerns, contact your child's main school office.
Need Help?
If you have questions about the new attendance communication process, please contact your child's school office.