Personal Electronic Devices Policy
LWSD Cell Phone & Personal Electronic Device (PED) Expectations for WANIC Students
Please see LWSD Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen's communication from Lake Washington School District | August 19, 2026 - 2026-27 School Year Change in Student Use of Personal Devices During Instruction - ParentSquare
Be Present • Be Safe • Be Workplace Ready
At WANIC Skill Center, our goal is to maximize student learning and engagement while preparing students for future academic and workplace success. Additionally, our 2.5 hours long programs are designed to mimic various industry settings as if students are on a job site. To support these goals, student cell phones and personal electronic devices (PEDs) — including smartwatches and handheld gaming devices — must be put away and not used during class time unless permitted by the teacher for a specific academic purpose.
While we acknowledge that cell phones and PEDs are part of daily life, they can interfere with learning and create distractions, disruptions, or even safety concerns. Consistent expectations across all WANIC programs ensure that students can focus on building the skills needed for both college and career readiness. Because WANIC serves students from many different high schools and school districts, these expectations apply to ALL students while attending a WANIC program, regardless of the personal device rules at their home high school.
During Class: Personal Devices Away
During all instructional time, personal electronic devices must be silenced, not visible, and not in use.
This includes:
- Cell phones
- Smartwatches
- Earbuds/headphones connected to personal devices
- Personal laptops and tablets
- Smart glasses and other wearable technology
- Any other personal device capable of communication, internet access, or audio, video, or image capture
Each WANIC classroom has a designated cell and PEDs storage system. Teachers will establish the storage routine for their classroom, and students are expected to follow it when directed.
Students may use personal devices before or after their WANIC class, but not during the instructional block, including when leaving the classroom for the restroom or other purposes.
WANIC Laptops Are the Instructional Device
WANIC provides students with the technology needed for their programs. Students are expected to use WANIC-issued laptops and devices for instructional purposes rather than personal laptops or tablets. Personal devices should not be used as substitutes for WANIC technology unless specifically authorized by WANIC staff.
Respectful Use of Technology
Students may not photograph, video, livestream, or audio record another student, staff member, classroom, lab, project, or activity without explicit permission from the teacher AND the individuals being recorded.
This expectation applies to all devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, wearable cameras, and other recording technology.
Taking, altering, sharing, posting, or threatening to distribute an image, video, or recording without permission — particularly content intended to embarrass, intimidate, threaten, bully, or harass another person — is a serious violation of WANIC expectations and will result in immediate disciplinary action.
Exceptions
Personal device use during instructional time is permitted when:
- Required by an approved IEP, 504 Plan, Individual Health Plan, or other documented accommodation;
- Authorized by WANIC staff for an unusual or time-sensitive circumstance; or
- Specifically authorized for an instructional purpose.
- Emergency: Students may bring phones during an emergency or evacuation.
Permission for a specific use does not constitute permission for continued personal device use.
When a Student Does Not Follow the Expectation
Our goal is not to police phones or create confrontations over devices. The expectation is clear, consistent, and applies to everyone. When a staff member directs a student to put away or store a device, the student is expected to comply without argument or disruption to instruction.
Initial Response
- Teacher reminds/reteaches the expectation and directs the student to store the device.
- If the behavior continues, the teacher contacts the parent/guardian.
Continued or Repeated Concerns
- Teacher refers the concern to the WANIC Dean of Students or Director.
- WANIC administration follows up with the student and parent/guardian.
- The device may be required to remain safely stored in the WANIC office for the remainder of the class/day.
- Repeated violations may require parent/guardian pickup of the device, loss of the privilege of bringing the personal device to WANIC, and/or other appropriate administrative action.
Refusal to follow a staff direction regarding a personal device becomes a behavior concern separate from the device itself and will be addressed accordingly.
Students bring personal electronic devices to WANIC at their own risk. WANIC/LWSD is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal devices.