Student Special Services

The Department of Special Services acts as an advocate for all students, especially those with learning differences.

The Department maintains communication with students, parents, teachers, administration, outside agencies, family doctors, psychologists, grade schools and even colleges.

The Department is responsible for writing and maintaining the Accommodation Plans for students at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School as well as monitoring the grades of all students with Accommodation Plans.

Processes

Student Intervention Team (SIT)

The SIT is composed of Administrators, Counselors and the Director of Special Services. The purpose of the SIT is to identify, confer with and mentor academically struggling students. The SIT also reviews all testing and documentation of a student at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (STA) with a disability who is asking for an Accommodation Plan. The SIT will make Accommodation Plan recommendations to the Special Services Department for each student who is found to be eligible for an Accommodation Plan.

Accommodation Plans

Families of students needing accommodations to access the general education curriculum through a Catholic Schools Student Support Plan (CSSSP) or a Minor Adjustment Plan (MAP) should submit the following current records to the appropriate individual*:

Full evaluation through a doctor or medical facility or from the public school system that led to documentation of a diagnosis of a disability
Any IEP, 504 or CSSSP currently or recently being used (within the last 2 years)
Incoming Freshmen should also submit grades for the previous school year

Determination for CSSSP accommodations will be made based on if a student needs support as well as existing resources at Saint Thomas Aquinas by the Special Services Team.

The Special Services Team will meet annually with each family whose student has a plan to create/update any CSSSP or MAP. If services are not being used then they will be removed. According to IDEA section 504 and Kansas Department of Education, in order to qualify for or keep a 504 plan (or our CSSSP) an individual needs to (1) have a documented disability or health concern that (2) substantially limits one or more life activities, such as learning.

To request a change to current CSSSP or MAPs a meeting must be scheduled for the team to decide appropriate changes. Changes will not be made by email request without a meeting with the guardian and or student (with parent permission).
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*Dr. Heather Wolf hwolf@stasaints.net (for students with last name starting A-M) or
Jennifer Jones jjones@stasaints.net (for students with last name starting N-Z)

Accommodations for Standardized Tests

Tests Administered by Saint Thomas Aquinas
Tests Administered Outside of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Tests Administered by Saint Thomas Aquinas

In order to qualify for accommodations on Kansas State Assessments per the State of Kansas, “accommodations made on the state assessment are completed on all instructional assignments, as well as classroom, district, and standardized assessments.”

PSAT Sophomore year and ACT Junior year: In order to qualify for accommodations on standardized tests per other testing organization guidelines ( PSAT, ACT) documentation of the disability from a doctor/medical facility or from the public school system must be provided to the Special Services Department. The Special Services Department will submit the appropriate paperwork to the appropriate entities, but the decisions are made solely by the testing organizations, not St. Thomas Aquinas.

Tests Administered Outside of Saint Thomas Aquinas

In order to qualify for accommodations on standardized tests per other testing organization guidelines ( example: ACT, SAT) on additional testing outside Saint Thomas Aquinas, documentation of the disability from a doctor/medical facility or from the public school system might be requested by the organization during registration by the parent. Decisions are made solely by the testing organizations, not St. Thomas Aquinas.

Guided Studies

Guided Studies is a full year, credit bearing, freshman elective to help students who have been identified as needing additional academic help and support. Enrollment is optional but is strongly suggested when recommended by counselors. Parents can also request that their student be placed in Guided Studies. Topics such as Study Skills, Time Management, Organizational Skills and Note-Taking Skills are studied. Additionally, a certified Math teacher co-teaches Guided Studies. Algebra I concepts are pre-taught, reviewed and reinforced and homework help is available during
class time.

Algebra 1 Lab

Algebra 1 Lab is a freshman elective for students who have struggled with Math concepts. Placement in Math Lab is determined by Academic Counselors. Students in Algebra 1 Lab also enroll in Algebra I, and they will have the same teacher for both classes. The curriculum in Algebra 1 Lab corresponds to the content in Algebra I. Algebra 1 Lab differs from Guided Studies in that it is a total Mathematics immersion class.

Math Hub

The Math Hub is in the recently-refurbished Room 204 on the second floor. It is staffed by two teachers and some student volunteers. Students may come for part or all of their STA period to work on Math. No Pass is needed. The popular Math Hub is not the only option for students seeking math help. Our schedule allows a school-wide STA period at the same time, so all Math teachers are available to work with students during this time.

For questions, contact Mrs. Stephanie Turner .

Writing Lab

An English department teacher is available during the STA period to assist students at any stage of the writing process. Whether students are seeking assistance with brainstorming, development, citation, organization, mechanics, or formatting, they can visit the Writing Lab, which is located in the Learning Commons. Students can also get help with quick questions about grammar or literature related material.

For questions, contact Mr. Jared Nigrin.

Study, Tutor and Assembly (STA) Period

STA Period is on every “ODD” day for ninety minutes. Every student is assigned a room and a teacher where they can study and receive tutoring from their teachers or peers. STA Period is academic time when all students can also make up missed tests, do lab work, complete homework or form a study group. Every student’s STA Period teacher is their Mentor Teacher. Mentor Teachers monitor the student’s grades, motivate and advocate for their STA students. The Mentor Teacher also serves as a liaison between a student and teachers to help students determine what steps need to be taken to achieve their God-given potential.

National Honor Society (NHS) Study, Tutor and Assemble (STA) Period

NHS STA is a “drop in” STA Period where NHS students volunteer to provide peer mentoring to any student, in any subject. Students who need additional help in any subject are welcome to use the services of these Peer Mentors if an individual teacher is busy, working with other students or the student feels more comfortable seeking help from a peer. The NHS STA Period runs concurrently with all other STA Periods.