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Brandywine Virtual Academy Showcases Wellness Check-in Model

Pennsylvania Act 55 established rigorous new standards for student wellness checks in cyber charter schools, requiring weekly real-time, visual interaction to ensure student well-being.

Join us on March 18 at 2:00 p.m. for a session facilitated by Kevin Ballisty, operations supervisor for Brandywine Virtual Academy, as he shares how his team built a robust wellness check-in program. Learn how to turn a compliance requirement into a tool for connection and safety. Register with DLAC to find out more and attend at www.cciu.org/dlac.

Coming Soon to TCHS: Barbering Program Expands to New Campuses

Success often begins with a skill, a passion, and the right opportunity. At Chester County Technical College High School (TCHS), the Brandywine campus Barbering program is transforming student interest into real-world achievement by equipping learners with industry credentials, confidence, and a clear path forward. With its strong reputation for hands-on learning and career readiness, this high-demand program is expanding to the TCHS Pennock’s Bridge campus in West Grove for the 2026-27 school year, with plans to open at the TCHS Pickering campus in Phoenixville in 2027-28, creating even more opportunities for students to shape their own success stories.

“Students can earn 1,250 hours of education and, by their senior year, prepare to take the Pennsylvania licensing exam for barbering and enter the workforce immediately,” says Drew Givler, TCHS Brandywine Barbering program instructor.

The TCHS Barbering program equips students with the technical, professional, and business skills needed to obtain barbering licensure, start a career as a professional barber or barber stylist, and even develop a business plan for those interested in owning or operating their own barbershop. Designed for creative, hands-on learners, the program blends industry training with real-world experience, preparing students for both the craft and business sides of the profession.

Students progress through clearly defined career skill levels:

  • Beginner level: Focus on industry safety, sanitation, and foundational shampooing and draping techniques on real clients.
  • Intermediate level: Learn basic hair cutting, shaving, and facial services, and gain an introduction to running a barbershop.
  • Advanced level: Refine complex hair cutting, shaving, and facial techniques while preparing to complete the Pennsylvania State Licensing Exam and earn the State Board of Barbering License.

Beyond technical training, students can earn up to three college credits and explore additional credit opportunities related to barbering. Students also have access to community workplace experiences, allowing them to build professional confidence, gain hands-on experience, and develop industry connections, setting them up for a smooth transition from high school to career or further education.

The regular decision deadline to apply to any TCHS campus is April 17, 2026. Apply today at technicalcollegehighschool.org.

February 2026 Board Meeting

The CCIU Board of Directors will hold its monthly in-person meeting on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. at TCHS Brandywine 443 Boot Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335. 

Residents and taxpayers of school districts which are wholly or partially in Chester County (“eligible speakers”) who wish to address the Board during the public participation portion of the meeting must call Janice Heagy, CCIU Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director/Board Secretary, at 484-237-5010 prior to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. The eligible speaker’s name, address, telephone number (in case meeting is canceled or relocated), school district and topic must be stated in order for the speaker to be permitted to speak at the Board meeting during the public participation period. Eligible speakers who do not contact Janice Heagy prior to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18 to request an opportunity to speak during the public comment section of the meeting will be accommodated on a time-permitting basis. Priority will be given to those eligible speakers who called in advance to request an opportunity to speak. A time limit for each speaker to comment is set at three minutes with the total comment period limited to 30 minutes. The first comment period is limited to agenda items only. 

All comments will be directed to the Board as a whole or to the presiding officer. No comments or questions shall be directed to individual Board members. All public comments and responses must be in the spirit of civil public discourse. Also, please be aware that intentionally disrupting a lawful meeting or the administration of a government function is a criminal offense in Pennsylvania. See 18 Pa.C.S. A. § 5101; 18 Pa.C.S. A. § 5508.