VIDEO: Brehm Alumni Kylie Cyr Shares Her Story

Another Brehm Alumni Reports Success!

"I graduated from Brehm last spring and I'm proud to say I am succeeding!

Having Brehm training in Speech and Language therapy along with Academic Prep allowed me to overcome my Aspergers and help make the dean's list at University of Tennessee Chattanooga last semester.

One thing that became apparent to me and the people at the University is that Autism is expanding in our population. We had fifteen students come in on the autism spectrum, and of those only a few succeeded outside of the academic realm.

I have been working extensively with another Aspergers affected student to develop the MoSAIC (Students With Autism Integrated Community, Mo is short for mocking bird, which is the school mascot) volunteer program. MoSAIC allows students with Aspergers and high-functioning autism to have a live-in dorm mentor (much like a Brehm dorm parent) while also encouraging Interpersonal relationship with other students living with them in the program. We will be launching this program in this Fall. Please email me at bryan-barkley@utc.edu for more information."

— Bryan Barkley
Brehm Alumni 2008
MoSAIC Mentor

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Brehm Students Prepare For International Trip to Greece

As the April 18th departure date for Greece approaches, Barb Lawrence prepares her students for this year's international trip. Recently, students have spent time researching local customs, geography and history.

Kyle takes a break from the internet to pose for the camera. 

Students research various topics simultaneously in Barb Lawrence's class.

Stephen works on a map of the islands in the Aegean Sea,
Greece and Turkey.

Students investigate sights to be seen via the web:

the islands of Patmos, Santorini, Mykonos, and Philerimos,
as well as Athens and the Acropolis

Brehm's tradition of embarking on international trips will be carried out through staying in centrally located hotels and venturing out on walking tours, sightseeing trips, excursions, boat cruises and more!

VIDEO: Brehm Megahurts Class Act on ABC News

SOAR Leadership Conference is Set to Take Place on Brehm Campus

A SOAR leadership conference will take place on Brehm campus February 19th & 20th. The conference will be led by Director of LD and AD/HD Services who is fondly referred to as “Big John” by Brehm students.

Day one will consist of Student Council members only, with the following day having the whole campus join in the activities.

The second day is the most challenging as the activities are lead by Student Council members, as opposed to staff. The experience is invaluable to the student leaders. They learn effective strategies for communication and motivation. Students increase their self-awareness and become more confident. Energy is high and everyone feels a willingness to attempt new challenges when others are encouraging and supporting the team. Of course, thinking about the end result is important, so an emphasis is placed on problem solving techniques and success of reaching the goal in each activity.

SOAR (Success Oriented Achievement Realized) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to success-oriented, high adventure programs for preteens, teens and adults with Learning Disabilities (LD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD).

OPTIONS Potluck Dinners Deliver Independence

Potluck dinners have become an important tradition at OPTIONS for several years. They were were first started by Independent Living Counselor Aaron Lee (who now works at Brehm as Dorm Parent and Head Brehm Bears Basketball Coach).

For each dinner, there is always a specific theme, perhaps from a region or country or having to do with a holiday or event. Each apartment takes responsibility for preparing one dish to share. (Students receive assistance from staff as needed for preparation). Each week, one apartment acts as host. Students and staff come together to share the meal and enjoy visiting with one another.

The potlucks are vehicles for demonstrating social skills and provide opportunities to sharpen executive functioning skills such as planning and organization. Planning starts with the menu and the grocery list and concludes with a dish that is prepared correctly and on-time. The hosts have to be sure their apartment is ready to receive guests. This often requires moving furniture and some extra cleaning prior to the dinner and cleaning-up after wards. Manners and etiquette are essential and the potluck almost always provides “teachable moments.”

The potlucks provide opportunities to discuss issues as a group forum. It’s also a time when students can showcase their culinary skills and/or recipes from home; it’s not unusual to have some talented chefs. Finally, the potlucks provide opportunities for staff and students to interact in a more relaxed setting, in a context that differs from the normal interactions.

Some successes we have seen include getting feedback from home, such as, “Danielle learned how to make sushi for the first time and she LOVED it.” One student was able to plan and host a dinner for thirty people on her own, by drawing from the potluck experiences. Others have memories of dishes that provided opportunities for improvement, such as brownies that resembled a volcano or problem solving what to serve because the main dish was burnt. Whatever the memory, the potlucks introduce skills (and recipes) that will be of value long after the meal is over.

OPTIONS at Brehm serves post high school students with learning disabilities who need to further develop academic and social skills required for success in college, vocational/technical school, and the workplace.

Brehm Robot Scoops, Throws and Scores!

Brehm Robotics team Megahurts gave a top notch demonstration for the whole school Wednesday after lunch.

Team Megahurts gets ready to start the demonstration.
Senior J.D., captain and lead programmer, up front on the left.

The students robot actually "scooped up" the ball...
Dr. Rich Collins in the background

Tension was building as many of the balls had been cracked
during the rigorous testing, the balls were getting stuck within
the robot's internal track. Everyone was wondering if the
demonstration would work.

The internal works sent another ball up the twirling rails,
the robot throws the ball, and it goes in the basket!
The student body cheers! Great job Team Megahurts!

The robot gets closer as the students have fun watching
the robot scoop up another ball.

The students get an even closer view as they crowd around.

Senior Scott, the co-captain and lead mechanic, and others
watch as the ball spins upward within the double helix rails.

This robot ships February 17th, for the March "FIRST Lunacy" competition. Over 1,000 teams are competing this year. Team Megahurts gives thanks to all the mentors. A mentor student from Southern Illinois University helped show the students how to properly weld an aluminum frame so they could transition from a bolted kit-bot frame to a welded aluminum frame. The stronger robot will have a better chance of not being damaged (from the all to frequent “accidental” contact with other robots).

The FIRST robotics competition inspires Brehm students to apply basic lessons learned in class curriculum to larger concepts and complex tasks.

Last year, only the second year for the team, Megahurts came in 18th place at the FIRST St. Louis regional FRC competition. It’s important to note that Brehm was the only LD school to compete.

CATCH THE BREHM ROBOTICS PRIDE! Visit the Megahurts team #2219 website here to find out more. If you'd like to attend the FIRST competition in St. Louis on March 19-21, contact Jon Cohen, who has information about blocked rooms still available at jcohen@brehm.org.

College Fair to be Held at Brehm

For the first time, Brehm will be hosting a college fair during the Spring Parent’s Weekend. The college fair is set to take place for Brehm students and families on Saturday April 4th from 9 a.m. until noon in the Student Activities Center.

This event will give our students the chance to explore a variety of post-secondary programs to fit their needs. This college fair has been specially tailored towards students with learning disabilities and attention deficits. Exhibitors will include: OPTIONS, junior colleges, universities and transition programs. Parents will have the opportunity to make an appointment to attend the college fair when scheduling other Parent’s Weekend activities.

For specific information, contact Coordinator of Communications, Brittany Morlan at 618.457.0371 or bmorlan@brehm.org.

Brehm Valentine’s Dance to be Held February 11th

“Lovers & Loners: A One Night Dance”, the Valentine’s Day themed dance is set to take place on Wednesday February 11th in the Student Activities Center.

The student council sponsored event will include music and dancing, food, soft drinks and a Hershey’s “Kissing Booth”. The highlight of the evening will be a "Delicious Awards" ceremony and dance-off.

Materials Needed for Brehm's Real World Prep Class

"Real World Prep" class teacher, Mary Hart.

For the second year, Brehm faculty member, Mary Hart is teaching a "Real World Prep" class for Brehm students. The course is designed to engage students with concepts and application activities that relate directly to life skills needed for independent living. Students are taught specific strategies and guidelines in order to be independent on a personal and social level.

Topics covered include: money management, types of credit, getting and keeping credit, consumers and consuming, automobile insurance, transportation and travel, and envisioning the future with career choices, foods in your life, fitness and weight management, planning meals, kitchen principles, and food preparation skills.

Due to an increase in the number of students taking the class, she is in need of the following items:

• Electric mixers
• Oven mitts
• Small plastic measuring cups
• Large plastic measuring cups
• Dry Ingredient measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Rubber spatulas
• Turnovers
• Large metal or plastic mixing bowls
• Small metal or plastic mixing bowls
• Muffin tins
• Cookie sheets
• Cake pans
• Loaf pans
• Wire cooling racks
• Small casserole dishes
• Large casserole dishes
• Cutting boards
• Tongs
• Vegetable peelers
• Wire whisks
• Pizza cutter
• Kitchen Scissors
• Colanders
• Ladles
• Skillets
• Saucepans
• Paring knives

To contribute to the "Real World Prep Class" donations may be dropped off to Mary Hart's classroom or mailed Brehm at:

Brehm Preparatory School
ATTN: Real World Prep Class
1245 E. Grand
Carbondale, IL 62901

In order to receive a 100% tax deductible in-kind donation, for this or any other item, contact Coordinator of Development Russ Williams at 618.457.0371 or rwilliams@brehm.org. We appreciate your support!

YEAR IN REVIEW: Brehm Landmarks for School Year 2007 - 2008

Brehm celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a year long initiation of events and great accomplishments.

The following is taken directly from the 2007 - 2008 Annual Report (see cover at the left), which is being printed now, and will be handed out this weekend at Strategic Planning for parents:




Brehm partnered with International Dyslexia Research Foundation to be the mid-west host of Harvard Medical School’s 25th Anniversary of Brain Research on Dyslexia.

Eminent Psychiatrist, and author of “A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities”, Dr. Larry Silver conducted a day long workshop on Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders at Brehm.

After a great presentation, Brehm was selected to be the Apple Computers Beta site, to evaluate Apple’s new assistive technology. Staff training begins in the ‘08 - ‘09 school year and evaluation begins in ‘09 - ‘10.

Academically our students progressed as demonstrated on increased scores on standardized tests of achievement and rising ACT scores. 85% of the Brehm graduating class were accepted to colleges or art institutions with 10% transitioning to OPTIONS and 5% going to work training.

Parent weekends were full of fun activities including a carnival, fireworks, Alumni reunions, a formal dinner and many other celebrations. Our formal dinner hosted 450 participants with 30 plus alumni returning with their wives/husbands and children (Many alumni also joined us in Chicago at the LDA conference to reminisce).

Six of our student artists and graphic designers received regional awards.

Brehm robotics team “Megahurts” came in 18th place in the FIRST St. Louis regional FRC 2008 competition. And, it’s important to note that Brehm was the only LD school to compete.

The Brehm paint ball club won numerous events at the regional competition with 300 participants.

Brehm joined and participated in the private school basketball league and Brehm hosts both girls and boys team.

Strategic planning weekend saw the Board of Trustees, Brehm staff and eleven families participating in a very productive workshop that, among other items, set our objectives to continue our vision of becoming a research based organization in the next three years.

The year has also brought about the transition of leadership on the Board of Trustees. Col. Jim Graham chaired his last Board of Trustees meeting. Col. Graham has been a true leader at Brehm and we extend our deep appreciation to him and his wife Carol for their many years of deep dedication. Thankfully Col. Graham has agreed to Chair and revitalize the Brehm Foundation to build our endowment.

The faculty and staff continued to expand their expertise through training, personal commitment and dedication to our mission, which are the Brehm students we serve.

Brehm Robotics Films Segment For Local Television Station

Just days ago, the Brehm Robotics team had the opportunity to be interviewed and film a portion of a segment to be featured on WSIL TV 3 in Carterville, Illinois. The segment is scheduled to be aired on WSIL TV news mid-February. The photos below give a sneak peak as to what we can expect from the Brehm robotics upcoming segment...

"Under Construction": Mentor Jonathan Cohen and
Brehm Robotics team members craft a robot for the 2009 season.

"Men at Work"... behind and in front of the news camera...

Robotics team member, Scott, in the hot seat!

Team Captain, J.D., eager to show Southern Illinois
what Brehm Robotics pride is all about.

The Brehm Robotics team is mentored by Jonathon Cohen and Joe Viscomi. To make a contribution to Brehm Robotics, contact Russ Williams, Coordinator of Development at 618.457.0371 or rwilliams@brehm.org.