Mission

WANIC’s primary mission is to provide quality, diverse, and cost-effective career and technical education for all students through interdistrict cooperation.

WANIC’s goals include:

• Ensuring student access and opportunities while promoting equity and diversity in programs

• Providing highly challenging, relevant, specialized courses and programs to students

• Maintaining and expanding business and industry partnerships and connections

CONTACT US

WANIC SKILL CENTER
11605 132nd Ave NE Suite A108
Kirkland, WA 98034
Email: wanic@lwsd.org
Tell: 425.739.8400
Fax: 425.739.8398
Website: www.wanic.org

Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bookkeeper Hours
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Staff
Karen Hay – Director/Principal
Jana Robertson – Office Manager
Nikki Meredith – Office Manager
Erika Somm – Office Manager/Bookkeeper

Schedule

Classes scheduled at WANIC Skill Center on Lake Washington Institute of Technology campus are 7:15-9:45 am and 12:00-2:30 pm.

Classes scheduled on DigiPen Institute of Technology campus are 7:30-10:00 am, 12:30-3:00 pm, and 3:30-6:00 pm.

School Calendar

Classes at the WANIC Skill Center and DigiPen follow the Lake Washington School District schedule. The LWSD District Calendar is available on the LWSD website.

NOTE: WANIC students do not release early on Wednesdays.

As a courtesy, local radio stations and flashalert.net will announce school cancellations, delays, and early dismissals due to inclement weather or emergencies. WANIC Skill Center will be delayed/closed in conjunction with the Lake Washington School District. If Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) or DigiPen is closed, WANIC classes held there will also be cancelled. LWTech suggests registering with Omnilert to have updates sent directly to you.

Individual Education Plans and/or Section 504 Accommodation Plans are designed for students with specific learning, behavior or health needs. Once determined eligible, students may receive support and/or accommodations in the classroom setting. All necessary determinations of individuals who qualify for such services as well as any supports or accommodations deemed necessary are the responsibility of the student’s sending high school. Students with Individual Education Plans or Section 504 Accommodation Plans must remain enrolled in a sending high school in order to continue receiving special services support while attending WANIC.

On-the-job safety is a vital part of all occupations and is a part of each program at WANIC. Everyone is expected to demonstrate safe work habits. WANIC reserves the right to search the following but not limited to lockers, backpacks and vehicles that are on campus and at school-related events if reasonable suspicion exists. Safety violations are subject to strict discipline, including possible dismissal from a program. The following safety regulations, adopted from industry standards found on the job, are to be observed at all times:

1. Safety Rules: Students are expected to know, understand and follow safety rules as well as maintain an orderly and clean work area. Individual program safety rules are posted and must be followed.

2. Eye Safety: If a student is involved in a program of a hazardous nature WISHA code clearly states individuals must wear appropriate industry-quality eye protective devices as designated.

3. Handling Blood/Body Fluid: Gloves (available in each classroom) must be worn if contact with blood or other body fluid is possible.

4. Food-Borne Illness: Care must be taken in program activities involving the handling of food in an effort to prevent food-borne illness from occurring.

5. Fire Drills and Emergency Procedures: Plans have been developed which will ensure the maximum efficiency and safety for evacuating the building during fires or other emergencies. Drills are to be taken seriously. Instructions will be posted for students in each room. Teachers will discuss the instructions periodically with the students.

6. Closed Campus: WANIC, as well as any program associated with, but not located on, the main campus, is considered closed. Closed campus directly refers to a student’s ability to leave campus prior to regular dismissal time. Once a student has arrived at WANIC they are expected to remain on campus for the full duration of their session unless they have received prior approval from the WANIC office. Students who need to leave campus prior to regular dismissal time will need to follow established check out procedures with the front office that includes verifiable parent/guardian contact. Students who choose to violate the closed campus policy may be subject to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by WANIC administration.

7. Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco-Free School: According to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, schools must be totally free of unlawful drugs or alcohol. No one is allowed to possess, transfer, sell, use, solicit, or distribute tobacco, drugs, or alcohol while at school or while taking part in any school sponsored event or activity. Drugs include inhalants, prescription drugs beyond a daily dose, over the counter drugs in quantities or mixtures that are suspect and capable of causing serious harm, or any substance represented as such.

8. Dangerous Weapons: Possessing, using, transferring, or transporting any object that could reasonably be considered a firearm or dangerous weapon or possessing any exploding item, device or substance that would be capable of producing bodily harm or cause damage to property or disruption of the educational process is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule is considered serious to the safety and welfare of both the student who violates it and others in the District and such a disruption to the educational process that emergency expulsion will always be immediately enacted. By law, we are required to notify the local law enforcement agency of a violation of this rule. Also by law, in the case of possession of a firearm, we are required to expel the student. The duration of the expulsion will be at least one school year and may be permanent.

WANIC follows an attendance policy similar to business and industry in that a student is considered an employee or a professional and is expected to be in full daily attendance in order to assure that maximum learning and productivity are achieved. Daily attendance and active participation in each class is a critical part of the learning process. The following policies and procedures are designed to help students learn responsibility and increase their potential for success. As part of recognizing the importance of this issue, parents and student are responsible for both being aware of student’s attendance and correcting any error in a timely manner.

All program instructors main­tain the standards and attendance expectations for their programs. Individual teacher policies may include grade or disciplinary consequences related to attendance. Refer to teacher syllabus for specifics. Progressive discipline may be assigned for unexcused absences.

These standards teach what employers expect of their employees: 

• Being dependable – Students are expected to be at school/work every day.
• Being on time – Students are expected to be prompt, not late, and ready to work.
• Doing a full day's work – Students are expected to stay on task, not leaving early or stopping work ear­ly, but complete what is expected and put materials away.

Programs at WANIC Skill Center include numerous hands-on activities which can be attained only by being in attendance. The skill application and practice in the shop or lab setting is critical to skill competency.

Absence Procedures

Absences must be reported by the parent/guardian to the WANIC Office within 48 hours of the missed day. There are three ways to excuse an absence:

• A parent/guardian can email wanic@lwsd.org.
• A parent/guardian can phone 425.739.8400 (messages can be left 24 hours a day).
• A parent/guardian can send a written note, signed by the parent/guardian, directly to the WANIC office.

All attendance communication must include the student's full name, date of absence, and detailed reason for the absence and must be submitted directly to the WANIC office. Please visit the JED file on the LWSD website and the JED-R file on the LWSD website for more information on State laws regarding school absences. Until a valid reason is provided, the absence will be considered unexcused. Verification from a medical professional may be required for excessive absences. It is the student’s responsibility to have their parents excuse absences on time.

Absence excuses must be communicated directly to the WANIC office. We encourage communicating to the teacher too, however, the WANIC office must hear from the parent/guardian directly in order to excuse an absence. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to relay parent messages to the office.

Pre-Arranged Extended Absence If it is unavoidable that your student will be missing three or more school days, you must complete the Pre-Arranged Absence Form at least one week prior to the absence. This form requires approval from both the instructor and the WANIC Director, who will consider the student's current grade, attendance record, and the impact additional absences will have on the student's academic progress. This form can be found at this link or picked up in the WANIC office.

We believe that students need to be in school to receive the fullest measure of educational benefit and we would like to work with you to eliminate unnecessary absences. We understand that there are legitimate reasons that a student needs to be absent and will work with you and your student when these circumstances do occur. Poor attendance may impact your student’s grade. In our effort to communicate and work together for your student’s success, grade and attendance information is available any time online through Parent Access.

Emergency Release & Illness

If you become ill during the day, report to your teacher. Do not leave school for any reason without signing out or you will be considered truant.

Students provide their own transportation.

Students who are authorized to drive to and from any WANIC campus must know and observe the following regulations:

Student vehicles are to be parked in designated spaces only. Vehicles must occupy only one parking space. Cars parked in unauthorized areas may be ticketed or towed.

Handicapped parking is available.

Student parking must comply with city fire codes; do not block fire lanes around the building.

Follow the posted speed and stop signs on campus at all times. Speeding or careless driving on campus grounds or on streets bordering the campus or at the off-campus sites may cause loss of driving privileges and/or further disciplinary actions.

Drivers are responsible for keeping all litter contained in your vehicle. Littering is not permitted on any WANIC campus including the parking lot, the street bordering the campus or at any of the off-campus sites.

Music must be at a level that will not be disruptive to the educational process. Music should not be able to be heard outside of the student’s vehicle.

The parking lot is considered off limits during session hours. Students must gain permission from a staff member prior to going out to the parking lot for any reason during session.

Drivers shall, at all times, yield the right of way to school busses and pedestrians.

Students who are authorized to drive to and from DigiPen will receive a parking pass from them.

Failure to follow the above stated rules may result in the termination of driving/ parking privileges and/or further disciplinary action.

Dress standards at WANIC are established in an effort to directly connect to the expectations in an employment setting.Therefore, several of the standards acceptable at the comprehensive high school level may not be deemed acceptable by WANIC employability standards. WANIC instructors will provide dress code regulations specific to each program.

A good general policy regarding the dress code is: If there is ANY QUESTION about an item being inappropriate, DO NOT WEAR IT.

If the student’s dress or grooming is objectionable under these provisions, the principal/designee shall request the student to make appropriate corrections. If the student refuses, the principal/designee shall notify the parent/guardian and request assistance in guiding the student to make the necessary correction. If both the student and parent/guardian refuse, the principal/designee shall take appropriate corrective action. Students may be suspended, if circumstances so warrant and students who violate provisions of the dress code relating to extracurricular activities may be removed or excluded from the extracurricular activity for such period as the principal/designee may determine. All students shall be accorded due process safe-guards before any corrective action may be taken.

• Inappropriate dress includes but is not limited to: hats/bandanas or other headwear and/or clothing which disrupt the education process and/or promote tobacco, alcohol, drug use, or promote or imply profanity, obscenities, sexual suggestion, or gang involvement are not allowed. Clothing which exposes the midriff, chest, or open back area are not allowed. Tube or spaghetti strap tops or other clothes that expose or do not fully cover all undergarments are not allowed. Skirts, dresses or shorts which do not substantially cover the majority of the thigh area are not allowed.
• All dress standards apply in addition to or in conjunction with the employment standard of each program as defined by the program instructor.
• Protective clothing as required by Washington Industrial Safety & Health Administration (WISHA) is required.
• Dress or appearance must not present a health or safety hazard.
• Everyone must wear shoes at all times.

Upon request, students may use the school telephone for calls related to school activities, illness and emergencies only.

Security of Personal Items

Personal items should never be left unattended in any program area. WANIC is not responsible for loss of personal items.

Lost and Found

Any person who finds an item should bring it to the office. If an item has been lost, check in the office to see if it has been turned in.

Students are encouraged to contact their instructor or the WANIC office for questions regarding:

• Attendance
• Enrollment
• Financial assistance
• Grades
• Personal or academic concerns
• Program offerings
• Schedules or activities

WANIC grades are assigned quarterly and transcripts are forwarded to each home high school at the end of each semester. Students may receive up to three high school credits per year. Grading categories include at a minimum, but not limited to the following areas:

• Employability:  Demonstrated employability, punctuality and participation, overall quality of work, attitude and conduct, adherence to safety rules, and leadership.
• Knowledge:  Demonstrated understanding of related theory, test scores, and written work.
• Skills:  Demonstrated application of related theory, lab work, project, and attainment of identified competencies.

EQUIVALENCY CREDIT: Students who earn full credit and a passing grade in both the 1^st and 2^nd semester in their WANIC program will automatically earn full equivalency credits.

ONLINE GRADING: Students and parents/guardians are given access to view their grades and attendance online through Parent Access.

Note: A grade of “F” will be recorded for a course dropped at any time after the 10th day of the semester.

Most WANIC programs offer Dual Credits (students can earn both high school AND college credit). Students who successfully complete their program with a grade of B or better are eligible to receive college credits. For more information visit the Pacific NW College Credit (formerly Tech Prep College Connections) website https://www.pnwcollegecredit.org/

DigiPen students should speak with their instructor to learn about earning college credits for DigiPen Institute of Technology.

WANIC leadership activities exist to give everyone an opportunity to develop a sense of belonging, greater school pride, leadership skills, a sense of accomplishment, and a commitment to one's community. WANIC endorses, encourages, and supports leadership activities as part of training. In accordance with Washington State standards for vocational education, a leadership component shall be integrated into each program curriculum. This may be accomplished through Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) such as Skills USA, HOSA, or through a locally developed leadership program, such as Explorers.

Lake Washington School District Student Rights & Responsibilities. Click link this link for details