Brehm Students Enjoy an Afternoon of Soccer

After the rain cleared on Saturday, Brehm students were able to enjoy a full afternoon of soccer at the first tournament of the year.

Participating teams included Brehm, Westwood Baptist Academy and Trinity Christian School. Though Brehm finished with a 0-2 record, they played hard and competed very well in both contests.

Brehm student, Eli scores a perfect goal from the corner.

Supervised by Rec staff, students were able to enjoy a day of fun.

The Brehm Bears rally around Coach Jim Wooldridge

Team members and spectators both enjoyed the day and played hard

Brehm staff and students take a moment

out to take a photo, create a memory

Brehm students turned out in mass despite the early rain. They were able to enjoy an afternoon of fun and friends. Recreation and dorm staff grilled out for students and spectators, while Brehm Speech-Language Pathologist and Student Council sponsor Barb Drew ran concession and played music.

Student Council Speeches & Voting Take Place on Brehm Campus

This week Brehm campus was able to experience another year of student council speeches and voting. It was unanimous around campus that this was, without a doubt, the best display of students speeches to date!

Students took turns giving organized speeches & arguments on

why they should be voted onto the Brehm Student Council.

Candidates presented to a large enthusiastic group of students.

The theme this year was change and it was greatly embraced! Congratulations to the 2009-2010 Student Council:

• Chris, Super Senior
  
• Will, Super Senior
• Austen, Sophmore
  
• Keanu, Senior
• Gannon, 8th grade
  
• Rishi, Super Senior
• Randy, Super Senior
  
• Max, Sophmore
• Lisa, Sophmore
  
• David, Freshman
• Neil, Senior
  
• Steve, Senior
• Dan, Senior
  
• Hicks, Senior
• Andrew, Junior

This year, students put in the extra effort campaigning, making signs and promoting their cause.

Of the elections, Deb Browne, Brehm Speech-Language Pathologist said,

" When I see students taking such big risks, expressing themselves so well, supporting each other, talking about being positive and looking sharp, I am filled with the wonder of what we do here together. It is nothing less than a miracle of the human spirit to see you overcome whatever hurdles you have faced to shine and to try. Thank you for your inspiration."

Congratulations! Your efforts paid off!

Support of Brehm Parents Helps All Areas of Program

Philip Alexander hands over the keys to the new

John Deere to Coordinator of Development Russ Williams

Recently, current Brehm parents, Philip and Sarah Alexander, donated a new John Deere lawn tractor. The tractor will be frequently put to use for the new soccer & paintball fields, as well as in the winter for plowing snow off of driveways and sidewalks.

In the past, the Alexanders have supported the Robotics program, which their son has been involved in for years. Since 2005, they have also donated three John Deere Gators, which have become very popular and multi-functional on campus.

We are very thankful to have the continued support of families like the Alexanders, whose graciousness affects all areas of program.

Soccer Season is Underway!

This year, the Brehm soccer team has been preparing for what is sure to be the most exciting season yet! This Monday, the Brehm Bears, led by Coach Jim Wooldridge, will face off against Trinity.

Be sure to check back to see upcoming away games (not yet scheduled).

Come check us out!

Brehm Receives the Gift of Photography

Recently, Brehm received a generous donation of camera equipment from a current parent. The donation included five Nikon cameras, various lenses, 35mm lenses, filters, protective covers, memory cards, manuals, books, tripods, a flash and cases for each set of cameras and will be used in PACT (Photographic Arts and Computer Technology) classes.

"This donation not only added an opportunity for my PACT classes, but added to many different aspects of program," said PACT teach, Chrissy Strusz.

Digital photography has always been an element to PACT since the class started, however, true and professional digital photography and photographic elements have not been a part of the curriculum, until now.

This new technology opens up a new door and creates new possibilities to enhance the educational experience of our students.

"I can now integrate the elements of photography, and teach students about shutter speed, aperture, depth of field and the true manual possibilities of a professional camera," said Strusz.

Brehm students have always excelled in the area of creativity and we look forward to seeing the amazing outcome the students will produce with these cameras.

This donation not only effects the PACT class, but will also be beneficial to many other elements of program like the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team, athletics, plays, and the yearbook.

"It is a very generous donation," said Strusz. "My students and I anxiously waited and watched the window for the Fed Ex truck. We wanted to see those beautiful, packed boxes as they came off the truck."

We would like to thank donors for their continued support of Brehm's mission. In-kind gifts are put to good use and always appreciated.

The Yellin Center Recognizes Brehm School

The Yellin Center is an assessment and student care organization dedicated to helping all learners experience genuine success in school and in life. The Yellin Center is affiliated with the New York University School of Medicine and directed by Paul B. Yellin, M.D., FAAP. The Yellin Center published an article praising Brehm School today.

The Yellin Center has been concerned about the scarcity of boarding schools for students with complex learning needs. The article points out that many children don't have just one reading or language issue — that social and emotional issues often come into play.

The article compliments Brehm for it's unique Holistic educational program (fulfilling students academic, social and emotional needs):

"...too many of the best private schools for student with significant learning needs specifically limit their programs to students with "language based learning disabilities". That's fine if your child has straightforward reading or language difficulties , but leaves very few settings for the many children whose needs don't fit neatly into this category.

We recently had a terrific conversation with Dr. Richard Collins, Executive Director and Headmaster of the Brehm School, a private boarding school in Carbondale, Illinois, for students in grades 6-12. Brehm works with students with complex needs, who may have difficulties in more than one area of learning and whose learning difficulties are complicated by emotional issues and limited social skills. Their impressive curriculum includes integrated instruction to address all areas of deficit while building academic success."

Brehm Prep Basketball Schedule is Finalized for the 2009-10 Season

Basketball season is coming!

Mark your calendars and don't miss the opportunity to see the Brehm Prep basketball team in another thrilling season.

Come to support Brehm and check out some of Illinois' top recruits.

GO TEAM BREHM!!

OPTIONS Students Benefit from New Workshop

Students in the OPTIONS Program have just completed the three-week “Balancing Relationships Workshop” with great success! The workshop was designed to help build confidence in social settings and to find a balance between Program obligations and peer relationships. There were three gender specific social strategy meetings each Sunday, which allowed for open discussion about the daily skills needed to create and maintain positive friendships. The topics of discussion included finding balance with yourself first, restoring natural harmony, introducing yourself to others, levels of friendships, dating etiquette and many other social skills.

One student responded by saying, “I have never had a support group where so much revolved around my daily life. It just fits perfectly into my transition to OPTIONS!”

The OPTIONS Recreation Program was designed to help facilitate the workshop. The students signed up for Co-Ed activities each weekend, but also had the opportunity to participate in mandatory gender specific activities. The activities helped build a bond between students and created a safe nourishing environment for them to step out of their comfort zone.

The “Balancing Relationships Workshop” provided the foundation for the students to grow upon over the semester. Since then, the OPTIONS Program has seen an increase in student participation and some students have created new friendships within the Program and in the community.

During the first three weeks of the workshop, students participated

in gender specific sessions on building relationships.

OPTIONS students first were able to utilize new skills in familiar

environments such as single-sex rec activities and at school.

Co-ed recreational activities allowed students to use skills &

strategies when interacting with the opposite sex.

Scott Donovan, OPTIONS faculty, said that since the workshop, he has seen great results. Students are obviously taking the time to think about what balancing a relationship means and acting accordingly.

The OPTIONS (Optimizing Potential Through Individualized, On-going, Nurtured Successes) Program at Brehm is a comprehensive transitional program for students with learning disabilities who have graduated from high school, earned their GED, or who have chosen to defer graduation in order to participate in a transitional program.

Campus Forum Creates Community for Brehm Students

What is Campus Forum?

Each Wednesday afternoon, Brehm students attend Campus Forum. This weekly meeting, held in the Student Activities Center, is led by Dr. Collins, Dr. Brown or residential supervisors Pam Altman and Theresa Miller.

Campus Forum is an avenue used to convey or discuss particular issues of the day or topics weighing heavily on campus. Topics can range from relationships, dating and substance abuse, to bullying, hazing and general differences. From time to time, students will get the opportunity to hear guest speakers or give students council speeches.

Campus Forum has a structured format so that in time, students know what to expect.

"It's a nice avenue for students to be able to share what is on their minds,"says Faculty Member Jen Conwell.

"It gives kids a bigger perspective and helps them to see we all have problems and they aren't uncommon," said Conwell.

"Once students are comfortable with the Brehm community, they are able to see how Brehm is different from other schools.," Conwell added.

This week's interactive Campus Forum covered different types of learning disabilities and Brehm's "No Excuse for Abuse" policy. Students were able to exchange thoughts and ideas regarding the topic.

Students gathered in the Dining Hall with faculty and staff

for this year's introductory campus forum.

Faculty Member Geo Flint discusses issues with students.

Welcome back Brehm students!

Over the weekend, Southern Illinois was blessed with beautiful pre-fall weather and Brehm was able to fully enjoy another successful Move-In Weekend. The streak continues and students are easily adjusting and taking full advantage of outdoor conditions.

Each Wednesday following Campus Forum, students participate in scheduled rec activities. Each student is able to exercise time management and planning skills by choosing which activity they would like to participate in. Students choose from activities such as: archery, hiking, board games, frisbee golf, intramural sports, volunteer work and more.

Welcome back!