Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Brehm's Annual Giving Campaign a success!

Thank you!

We would like to thank the hundreds of alumni, parents, grandparents, friends, corporations and foundations who helped us reach our goal of $300,000 during the Brehm 2009-2010 Annual Giving Campaign.

We've already started the 2010-2011 Annual Giving Campaign. Your donation makes our unique education possible. Annual Giving gifts help Brehm support a strong faculty, provide funds for student programs, improve our campus, and purchase equipment to meet our student educational and holistic challenges for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Brehm Hosts SOAR Summer Program

For the first time, this summer through August 17th, Brehm will be the host of a SOAR summer program. This 21-day program was designed to help students explore their own gifts and strengths, to develop life and social skills, to have fun and take advantage of the Southern Illinois region.

Students are able to participate in a wide variety of activities such as: woodworking, pottery, photography, arts & crafts, canoeing, paintball, fishing, sports and much more. The course also offers a service-learning component, allowing campers to give back to the community. On weekend, students capitalize on on Brehm's location by taking excursions to nearby St. Louis, Louisville and Chicago to theme parks, museums, zoos, planetariums and more.

Students practice archery on Brehm's campus.

SOAR participants were the first to use Brehm's
brand new sand volleyball court.

Students stop for a group shot at one of the many
hiking trails in the Carbondale region...

... along with a little exploring...

Another famous Carbondale landmark- Jeremy "Boo" Rochman Memorial Park
(more commonly known as Castle Park).

SOAR (success oriented achievement realized) is a accredited American Camp Association dedicated to serving youth with learning disabilities or AD/HD. It is a nationally recognized program that has successfully enriched the lives of young people for more than 30 years by placing special emphasis on providing each youth with opportunities to discover and develop his or her own learning abilities.

The next session begins July 18th. Those who are interested can contact Kylie Cyr, Admissions Counselor at admissions@soarnc.org or 828.456.3435.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

A Letter from the Assistant Director of Admissions

I would like to introduce myself as Brehm School's new Assistant Director of Admissions. In this position, I will be working closely with Donna Collins, Director of Admissions and Dr. Richard Collins, Executive Director.

For the last five years, I have been a part of the Brehm family, working as a substitute teacher, teacher's aide and transition specialist. Throughout this time I have seen Brehm's campus and student population grow, becoming more diverse and distinguished. As the Assistant Director of Admissions, I will be able to continue to see the growth of Brehm and our current and future students.

I look forward to moving forward with this coming school year and working one-on-one with new old old members of the Brehm family.

Until then, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Richard L. Ventura, M.S.
Assistant Director of Admissions
rventura@brehm.org
618.457.0371

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Brehm Graduates Reflect and Give Thanks (3 of 3)

I have matured dramatically, become much more social, made better grades, felt better about myself and others, and learned to be more independent. If it weren’t for Brehm, I would be at the same maturity level as I was in public school…. For ten long years in public school, the teachers never even attempted to explain how to socialize or how to interact properly…. Brehm took me above and beyond by teaching me my own potential.”

– Jordan

Brehm has taught me lifelong lessons. I’ve learned how to get rid of all of the prejudices that common people have and, instead, celebrate the differences among human beings. I’ve learned how to respect, love, and care with NO boundaries. I would like to thank Coach Aaron Lee for giving me the opportunity to be part of this family, for his love, support, patience, and leadership on and off the court. I would like to thank all of the teachers for their patience and availability in transmitting knowledge. I would also like to thank my advisor, Mrs. Marian Appiah-Kubi, for her endless love, kindness, respect, advice, and (over)care :-p. I would like to present my regards to Mr. Douglas, Mrs. Douglas, and Mrs. Amanda Clough for their undeniable support, love, and attention. I would like to give nursing and the kitchen staff a shout for their motherly love and for making sure that I was healthy and well-nourished. The final thanks goes to Dr. Collins for giving me the opportunity to take advantage of a great educational and social program which also helped me get a full ride scholarship to Vanderbilt University. I am incommensurably happy to say that I have accomplished my goals here at Brehm and that I am ready to face new challenges at the college level and be useful to society.”

– James

I am so happy today because I am graduating, a feat I didn’t think possible just 9 months ago. A lot has changed in my time here. I have grown up a lot. There was a time last year when it appeared I would not make it and I would have to leave Brehm. But then maturity kicked in, and I changed my life forever. I took the help that was being offered to me. Here I am today graduating high school and moving onto higher education. The last few years have been filled with obstacles and a few great triumphs. I want to thank the following people for all of the time and effort they have invested in me: My dorm parents, Jason, Ed, Kristin, and Joe, for all of the times you talked with me and helped me figure out the big parts of my life. I want to thank my amazing advisor, Chrissy Strusz, who helped me apply for college…. You are awesome, and I cannot thank you enough. I want to thank my teachers, who made this such a great learning experience. I want to thank my amazing family for all of their love and support despite the odds against me. Mom, Julie, Dad, Gaga, and Grampy, thank you for everything you have done. Thank you to everyone who has made this process possible.”

– Daniel

I would like to thank several people, some who were my teachers, and others who I met and got to know well. Each one has helped me become the man I am today. They showed me who I could be and helped me get there. Thanks to: Terri Douglas, Nancy Bagshaw, Judy Carter, Deb Browne, Shelly Greenball, Francine Clebowicz, and Joan, and all of my teachers. Each one of you has helped me individually to become more than I thought I could be. I would also especially like to thank my parents, who always believed in me and were the starting point of my success. Thank you all for seeing my talents and potential. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me such a bright future.”

– David