Brehm Parents Association readies for a new school year

The school year is about to begin at Brehm School, and the Brehm Parents Association is working hard to ensure the organization builds upon years past to serve as a voice for parents to help each other and help the school.

“The BPA’s goals are to support the parents with the challenges of raising a child with complex learning disabilities while supporting their children,” said Maureen Wielansky, BPA president. “The way we do that is to raise money for activities and items.”

Diane Field, BPA member, said the overall goal of the BPA was to “foster a sense of community amongst the parents.”

“Our parents come from all over the country and many parts of the world. We all share this experience of sending our children away to Brehm, and through the BPA, we can share information about the experience,” Diane said. “This is also our way to become involved with the Brehm community, and work with the administration and teachers to achieve the goals that we have for our children.”

The BPA is about supporting families and staff, Maureen said.

“The BPA would like to give ongoing support to families by providing recourse and facilitating connection throughout the entire year. This connection will further enhance our experience at Move-in Weekend, Parent and Family Weekend, and Graduation,” Maureen said. “Also, the BPA supports the staff by enhancing their jobs. We raise money for equipment and activities that also further the staff’s experience at Brehm. Our staff is top-notch and need our support. We give gifts to the staff and provide meals during the year.”

To Diane, the BPA provides parents and families a way to share their children’s experiences.

“If a common theme develops, then together, as a group, we can approach the administration and open a dialogue. The administration has always been open to hearing from parents and receptive to our ideas,” Diane said. “For instance, the College Fair, that happens over the Fall Parent and Family Weekend, came about as a result of this type of cooperative relationship.”

Maureen said her term as president of the BPA has given her the chance to pay back what the BPA has done for her.

“Brehm has given our family something we didn’t see possible; a high school experience in a safe environment, where our son can grow while maximizing on his strengths,” Maureen said. “In any other school, he would have been a number. But, at Brehm, they treat him like a rock star, and he is safe and that combination is worth every cent!”

Maureen encouraged all parents at Brehm to keep the lines of communication open with other parents and the staff and faculty at Brehm.

“As parents of children with complex learning disabilities, we have suffered in silence until we came to Brehm. We want for our parents what Brehm gives to our children – connection, community and support,” Maureen said. “Transition out of secondary school is scary, and we need each other. We want to create a forum where parents can post resources that they find useful, be able to ask for support and to get to know each other, so when we see each other in person, an instant bond is formed.”

Parents of Brehm students are automatically members of the BPA. However, parents who are wishing to play a more active role in the BPA may want to become BPA board members.

“We desperately need board members. Right now, Diane and myself comprise the executive board,” Maureen said. “In addition, this is Diane’s last year at Brehm and my second to last year, so we need parents who are ready to carry on the tradition of the BPA.”

If you are interested in learning more about the BPA, Maureen and Diane will have an exhibit at Move-in Weekend.

“We look forward to meeting and welcoming new students and parents at Brehm,” Diane said.