Brehm students are keeping the school green

Brehm Preparatory School students are keeping the school green.

In 2008, Brehm initiated a recycling program on campus with recycling containers in every dorm, outside, in academic buildings and the administration building. This was possible due to the support of Jackson County Health Department.

"We have a recycling dumpster from the Jackson County Health Department on campus, and, in order to keep the dumpster, we have to meet requirements," said Pam Altman, supervisor of boarding services at Brehm Preparatory School. "The last three years, we have completed four activities and participated in educational sessions throughout the year. These activities have benefited the campus because we have received two benches made out of recycled milk jugs. They are located in front of Christy Hall and Dorm 5."

The first activity the students have participated in each school year is a campus cleanup. This year, the students held their campus cleanup prior to Brehm's Fall Parent and Family Weekend, which was held November 5-6.

"It is an opportunity for our teachers, dorm parents, staff and students to pitch in and pick up trash and recyclables around campus to make the campus look its best for our parents," Pam said. "This year, some teachers had a great idea to reward students who participated in the cleanup with stickers, so we had students covered in stickers by the time they were done."

Other recycling events the students participate in include: recycling skits, trashformations and another event that has yet to be determined.

"These events will provide us with another bench or money to purchase recycled items and hopefully raise awareness around campus to reduce, reuse and recycle," Pam said. "From September 2009 until August 2010, we have recycled 12,820 pounds of materials!"

For more information, contact Dalus Kulich, Coordinator of Communications of Brehm, at (618) 457-0371 or dkulich@brehm.org.