Current Families

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School is able to offer our students, staff, and guests access to computer technology, including access to the Internet, specific online services, and the Saint Thomas Aquinas information technology network.   We are dedicated to access and support of appropriate technology which unlocks our potential and connects us locally and globally.  We envision a learning environment where technology is a part of us, not apart from us.

We believe that technology, including the information technology network, is an educational resource that has tremendous value which far outweighs potential risks.  We will leverage existing and emerging technologies as a means to learn and thrive in the 21st Century, and prepare our students for success toward their goals in the competitive, global, electronic age. We know that access to the tools and resources of a world-wide network, and understanding when and how these tools are appropriately and effectively used, are crucial to each student's education.  Technology can also be used to enhance students’ knowledge of the Catholic faith.  

The school's information technology resources, including email and Internet access, are provided for educational purposes. If you have any doubt about whether a contemplated activity is acceptable, consult with the Director of Technology to help decide if a use is appropriate.  It is also the responsibility of each user to access only materials consistent with Catholic doctrine and the educational goals of the school.  Adherence to the following policy is necessary for continued access to the school's technological resources:

Users must respect and protect the privacy of others by:

1. Using only assigned accounts;
2. Only viewing, using, or copying passwords, data, or networks to which they are authorized; and
3. Refraining from distributing private information about others or themselves.

 Users must respect and protect the intellectual property of others by:

1. Following copyright laws (not making illegal copies of music, games, or movies);
2. Citing sources when using others' work (not plagiarizing).

Users must respect and protect the integrity, availability, and security of all electronic resources by:

1. Observing all school Internet filters and posted network security practices;
2. Reporting security risks or violations to a teacher or network administrator;
3. Respecting data, networks, or other resources that do not belong to them, and only using resources with clear permission of the owner;
4. Conserving, protecting, and sharing these resources with other users; and
5. Notifying a staff member or administrator of computer or network malfunctions through the creation of a service request. 

 Users must respect and practice the principles of community by:

1. Communicating only in ways that are kind and respectful;
2. Reporting threatening or discomforting materials to a teacher or administrator;
3. Refraining from accessing, transmitting, copying, or creating material that violates the school's code of conduct (such as messages/content that are pornographic, threatening, rude, discriminatory, or meant to harass);
4. Refraining from accessing, transmitting, copying, or creating material that is illegal (such as obscenity, stolen materials, or illegal copies of copyrighted works);
5. Avoiding spam, chain letters, or other mass unsolicited mailings;
6. Refraining from buying, selling, advertising, or otherwise conducting business, unless approved as a school project; and
7. Remembering that all student communications represent Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and thus reflect our mission. 

 Users may, if in accord with the policy above:

1. Design and post web pages and other material from school resources;
2. Communicate electronically via tools such as email, chat, text, or videoconferencing; and
3. Use the resources for any educational purpose.

Consequences for Violation:

Violations of these rules may result in disciplinary action, including the loss of a user's privileges to use the school's information technology resources. Further discipline may be imposed in accordance with the school’s Code of Conduct up to and including suspension or expulsion depending on the degree and severity of the violation.

Supervision and Monitoring:

The use of school owned information technology resources is not private. School and network administrators and their authorized employees will monitor the use of information technology resources to help ensure that uses are secure and in conformity with this policy. Administrators reserve the right to examine, use, and disclose any data found on the school's information networks in order to further the health, safety, discipline, or security of any student or other person, or to protect property. They may also use this information in disciplinary actions, and if appropriate, will furnish evidence of crime to law enforcement.

The school reserves the right to determine which uses constitute acceptable use and to limit access to such uses. The school also reserves the right to limit the time of access, bandwidth allowances, and priorities among competing acceptable uses.

Disclaimer of Liability:

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School shall not be responsible for any material on a computer network, including the Internet, which may be deemed objectionable to a user (or his/her parents, if a minor); for any inaccurate information disseminated over the network; for any hostile or injurious actions of third parties encountered through a computer network; for any charges incurred by the user of a computer or computer network without prior permission; or for any damage or loss incurred by a user or any subsequent party by the use of files or software obtained over a computer network.

Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.  System administrators do have access to all accounts on the STASAINTS domain and retain the right to obtain access to personal accounts on the network if warranted and deemed necessary by the administration.  Students who violate school policies using any device on campus, or through use of their assigned Google account, are subject to disciplinary action

The school shall not warrant the functions of the system to meet any specific requirements the user may have, or that it will be error-free or uninterrupted; nor shall the school be liable for any direct or indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including damage to personal devices, lost data, information or time sustained in connection with the use, operation or inability to use the system. 

Credit

Portions of this AUP are modeled after:

• An example previously provided by US Department of Justice - Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section.
• Blue Valley USD #229 - Administrative Guidelines for Board of Education Policy 3518.
• St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School, Austin, Texas Student Handbook Acceptable Use Policy (page 10).

Recommended Devices

• A Windows 10/11 tablet, such as the Microsoft Surface, with a physical keyboard, or
• A laptop – either Windows (Windows 10 or newer) or MacBook (2017 or newer).

Specifications to look for when purchasing a device:

• at least 8GB of RAM
• at least 256GB of internal storage/SSD (128GB will be frustrating and limit the number of apps that can be installed on the device)
• a recent generation processor (if it's a brand new computer it should have a new processor in it)
• a basic graphics processor (this is where you can really save money; fast graphics are expensive and unnecessary for school tasks)

We do NOT recommend:

• iPads and other (non-Windows) tablets. These devices tend to be good for running a particular “app” but not sufficient for creating materials. If an app-based tablet is the only device available for your student, please make sure it also has a physical keyboard to make it as functional as possible when creating content.
• Chromebooks have some limitations, but if families determine that is the best course of action for their family, we help them find ways around those device hurdles whenever possible. Chromebooks do present a challenge when we do some of our online assessment as the deployment of the lockdown browsers don’t always play nicely with the Chrome system.

NOTE:

• We do a lot with the Google suite of apps, and your student will be given free access to Microsoft Office 365 (don't buy it with your device!) We do highly encourage you purchase an up-to-date anti-virus program (check with your internet provider). If you should want device insurance, a quick Google search will yield options.
• You probably can't expect a $300-quality laptop to last all four years of high school, however a $2000 computer isn't going to do anything (for school) significantly better than something much less expensive. $600 to $1200 is about the sweet spot of quality and features for a new laptop that should remain useful for four years. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Craig Moss: cmoss@stasaints.net 913-319-2422
• Al Miner: aminer@stasaints.net 913-319-2440

Student Printer in the Learning Commons - this link will only work on the STA campus networks. You cannot use this link to print from home.

Directions to change device name - Student devices should use the student's username for its network name. Windows link.  Mac Link.  iPad link. If you use a Chromebook please see Mr. Miner.

Office 365 - for all devices and operating systems. Use your "@stasaints.net" email address

Chrome Web browser - for Windows and Mac. All Google tools and sites function better when using this browser

Google Drive App - for all devices and operating systems. Automatically syncs cloud documents with a folder on your device. Use your "@stasaints.net" email address and password

Skyward Apps - for phones and tablets - iPhone and iPad, and Android phones and tablets

FACTS - Students and Family access from any Web browser. District code: STA-KS

Athletic & Activities Calendars - subscribe to activity calendars, receive updates and notifications about events

MAP Test lockdown browsers -  necessary to take the MAP test on your device

Turnitin.com - used to verify student writing is original academically honest work.

Choose the correct client for your OS here:

https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/kite

Saints Connect, formerly Parent Guild, plans and implements events and programs, promotes Saint Thomas Aquinas to prospective families and enriches student experiences through our parent network all to build a community of Saints for our families and staff.

Every Parent is a Member of the Saints Connect.

The Saints Connect Steering Committee consists of three primary functions:

• Parent Ambassadors: Represent & promote Aquinas to prospective and current Aquinas families (Delegates of each parish)
• Social Ambassadors: Build community through social events and programs for current families as well as plan appreciation events for our Aquinas staff. (All Social Ambassadors lead one Saints Connect event/program through the year)
• New Family Mentors: Welcome and support to our new families

The Saints Connect Steering Committee meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Any Saint Parent is welcome to attend a meeting. (Please advise the President so we can properly introduce you).

We need all families to participate and volunteer to make Saints Connect a success! There are many ways to get involved. 

Signup and you will be contacted by a Committee Chair. For general information or if you are interested in being a member of the Saints Connect Steering Committee, please contact: parentguildsta@gmail.com