How to use this guide: Choosing the right check-in or check-out option ensures student attendance is recorded correctly in PowerSchool and that the right people are notified at the right time. Use the table below to quickly identify which option fits your situation.
Quick Tip: Match the reason for the visit to the correct option. For example, use School Attendance when a student enters the building, Early Dismissal when a student leaves early, and Checking Back to School if the student returns later the same day.
| Option | When to Use It | Attendance Updated | Notifications / Admin Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
|
School Attendance Building Entry |
Use when a student is arriving at school, either on time or late.
Example: A student walks in at 8:45 AM after the bell. The front office checks the student into the building. |
Daily Attendance Current Period All Missing Periods |
Notifies: Parent/Guardian, Student, Current Period Teacher, and Admins.
Use this for any student entering the building. It helps fill in missed periods automatically. |
|
Class Attendance During School Day |
Use when a student is already in the building but missed or was late to a specific class.
Example: A student was in the counselor’s office during 2nd period and needs to be marked for that class period only. |
Current Period Only |
Notifies: Parent/Guardian, Student, Current Period Teacher, and Admins.
This option only updates one class period. It does not change the student’s full-day attendance status. |
|
Early Dismissal Checking Out |
Use when a student needs to leave school before the end of the school day.
Example: A parent picks up a student at 1:00 PM for a dentist appointment. |
Daily Attendance Current Period All Future Periods |
Notifies: Parent/Guardian, Student, Current Period Teacher, and Admins.
All remaining periods are updated automatically. If the student returns later, use Checking Back to School. |
|
Checking Back to School Return Entry |
Use when a student who checked out early returns to the building later the same day.
Example: A student left for a doctor visit at 11:30 AM and returns at 1:15 PM. |
Daily Attendance Current Period All Future Periods |
Notifies: Parent/Guardian, Student, Current Period Teacher, and Admins.
Use this after Early Dismissal when the student returns. It updates the record to show the student is back. |
|
Location-Based Check-In / Out Events & Activities |
Use when staff need to sign students in or out for a specific location, event, or activity.
Example: A student checks in for a field trip, basketball game, after-school program, or temporary location. |
Current Period Optional
Attendance updates only if enabled by your system administrator. |
Notifies: No email notifications by default.
Best for extracurricular, event, and location tracking without sending unnecessary emails. |
|
Health Office Check-In Nurse / Clinic |
Use when a student visits the health office or nurse. The nurse manages the visit and documents the outcome.
Example: A student feels ill, checks in with the nurse, and the nurse documents whether the student returns to class or is sent home. |
Based on Health Office Settings
Attendance depends on how the nurse resolves the visit. |
Notifies: Nurse / Health Staff. Additional notifications depend on visit outcome and configuration.
Attendance is not automatically changed when the student walks in. It updates based on the nurse’s final outcome. |
Reminder: If you are unsure which option to use, start by asking whether the student is entering the building, leaving the building, returning to the building, moving between classes, visiting the nurse, or attending a specific activity.
Questions? Contact your PowerSchool system administrator or PureData support.
PureData Attendance Plugin | PowerSchool SIS