Participants Benefit From Tourette Syndrome Association Workshop Hosted by Brehm

On Dec. 19th Brehm Prep School hosted a workshop in conjunction with the Tourette Syndrome Association. The workshop, titled "Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders in the Classroom" was geared towards educators and allied professionals.

Children with Tourette syndrome present unique challenges in the classroom. Participants in the workshop learned about how the condition is diagnosed and how it can be managed at school.

Other topics of the workshop included: criteria for diagnosing Tourette syndrome, disorders often associated with Tourette syndrome (ADHD, OCD, learning disabilities, fine motor deficits and sensory defensiveness) and behaviors associated with Tourette syndrome, ADHD, OCD and learning disabilities.

The presenter, Susan Conners, M. Ed is an Education Specialist for the National Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. and was the founder of TSA of Greater New York State. With 33 years of teaching experience, Conners has also served on the TSA board of directors and chaired the education committee. Conners also discussed her experiences as a person who is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.

The information provided in this program was supported by a grant/cooperative program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The grant allowed all participants to attend the workshop at no cost.

Cutting your tax bill when you donate stock

As you know Brehm is a 501(c)(3) and is currently running behind with our contribution goal for the end of the year. From Kiplinger's Personal Finance Adviser:

"Feeling charitable this holiday season? Consider donation appreciated stock, rather then cash, to your favorite cause.

As long as you have owned the stock for more than a year, you reap a double tax break: You can deduct the full market value of your donation and escape capital gains tax on the appreciation. The recipient charity doesn't pay taxes, either. But don't donate stock that has lost value. You're better off selling it, claiming the loss to reduce your tax bill, and then donating the cash. Make sure you get a receipt from the charity to satisfy new tax rules that require documentation for any amount you contribute to a charity."

Brehm Holiday Party Photo Essay.

After a great lunch served by the Brehm cafeteria staff, students were treated with an afternoon of Holiday party fun. Staff brought in cookies, snacks and and other treats to enjoy.


Students had fun with karaoke, crafts, a Halo tournament, Guitar Hero, cards, and other games throughout the student activity center.

The movie "Elf" was also shown.

Remembering Brehm during the Holidays

During the rush and business of the holiday season we encourage our faithful and new parents to remember Brehm when considering an end-of-the year tax deductible gift.

Brehm is currently running behind compared to last year's giving and the goals for the 2008-09 Annual Giving Campaign. We need $79,737 by December 31st to reach our campaign projections.

If you have not contributed to the annual fund by December 31st so that your 100% tax deductible donation will count toward the 2008 tax year, please do so now. Your gift may include cash, credit card, check, shares of stock, donations of insurance policies, inclusions in wills, services and/or products. You may send a check to:

Brehm Prep School
1245 E. Grand Avenue
Carbondale, IL 62901

...or donate right now through our secure online "Donate" option using your credit card (see the "Donate" button on the right side of this blog, just below local weather).

For more information on contributing to Brehm contact Russell Williams, Coordinator of Development, at 618-457-0371 or rwilliams@brehm.org

Another Proud Parent Thanks Brehm Preparatory School!

Hi Brehm Faculty,

Michelle MacLellan is graduating from UC Merced (University of California) this month with a degree in Psychology and we could not have done it without you. Michelle graduated from Brehm in 2003 and it has been a long road, but she has obtained success and we are very proud of her.

We will never forget all that Brehm did for Michelle and how she had been written off by her public school district here and now she is graduating from college.

God bless all of you,
Anne M. MacLellan
Mom of Michelle MacLellan

Annual "Lights Fantastic" Parade!

The annual Lights Fantastic Parade took place this past Saturday, and Brehm Prep School was proudly part of the long Southern Illinois holiday tradition.

Numerous Brehm students helped create the
float and were part of the show.

Many thousands lined the streets to enjoy the holiday gathering that was ended with Santa wishing everyone happy holidays. Megan Cole, executive director of Carbondale Main Street, said over 50 floats, bands and community groups were part of this year's parade.





Click on the arrow within the video to see (and hear) the fun for yourself!

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Get 12 FREE months of flowers when you donate to Brehm!

Get 12 different flower bouquets FREE, one per month, from “A Petal Patch Florist”, when you donate $20 or more to Brehm Preparatory School (for a very limited time - so act fast). You can give these beautiful bouquets as gifts throughout the year, or enjoy them in your own home:

Christmas Mix Bouquet - December 2008
Love Bunch Bouquet - January 2009
March Winds Bouquet - March 2009
Spring Bouquet - April 2009
Mixed Bouquet - May 2009
I Do Bouquet - June 2009
Sizzling Summer Bouquet - July 2009
Hot August Bouquet - August 2009
Florist Choice Bouquet - September 2009
Harvest Bouquet - October 2009
Fall Mix Bouquet - November 2009

This great Carbondale, Illinois deal won’t last long. To get your punch card/coupon for 12 FREE months of flowers for a $20 or more contribution to Brehm, call Tina Rathjen at 618-457-0371 (ext 1306). And yes, Brehm is a 501c3 and 100% tax deductible.

End of the Semester arrives at the OPTIONS Program!

A letter from OPTIONS Program at Brehm Coordinator, Char F. Reed

The end of another great semester has arrived at the OPTIONS Program. And, a lot has been accomplished.

Within the Independent Living program, students sponsored a haunted room in the Haunted High School. This was a fund raiser for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Students (and staff) planned and implemented a haunted room; it was a lot of work, but also great fun for many.

Students also participated in an Etiquette Dinner on the Southern Illinois University Campus. This was attended by SIU students and presented by SIU staff. Students generally enjoyed it and one OPTIONS student was quoted in the college newspaper, speaking favorably about the event.

Students concluded their weekly potluck dinners with a special holiday potluck dinner that was attended by staff and friends. It was a great feast as well as a chance to relax and socialize. As we look to next semester, we are excited to have a graduate intern in Nutrition Counseling who will be working with students and staff in the Independent Living Program.

The Independent Living Program will also be partnering with Southern Illinois University to host and train two field work students. One is in the Therapeutic Recreation Program, and the other is in the Outdoor Recreation Program. We look forward to this partnership.

The end of the semester also finds 15 students completing 33 classes at John A. Logan College.

Cassidy Wilson, a student in the Extension Program at OPTIONS, completed her Office Assistant certificate at JALC. She is leaving us to return home to seek employment using her newly acquired skills and certificate.

Next semester, 21 OPTIONS students are registered for a record 52 classes at JALC!

Students participated in 17 internship experiences during the fall semester. Starting in January, 27 students will participate in internship opportunities at 30 different sites. The OPTIONS Program has added ten new internship sites to those we draw from, bringing the total to 50. Due to the increase in sites and internship participation, OPTIONS added the position of vocational assistant and job coach. This position was filled by a staff member who has her Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling. As in the past, OPTIONS will continue their partnership with Rehabilitation Services at SIU. OPTIONS will supervise one master's intern from Rehabilitation Counseling and one undergraduate from Rehabilitation Services.

As usual for the OPTIONS students and staff, the semester concluded with holiday giving.

This year, Christmas was provided to residents at the Masonic Children’s Home in Murphysboro, Illinois. This facility provides long term residential care for children between the ages of 4 and 18. The residents will each receive a new pair of shoes and several items of clothing. Several gifts were purchased for each of the cottages. This was a great activity that really reinforced for all the true joy of giving.

Until next semester, happy holidays!

Char F. Reed
Coordinator,
Options Program at Brehm

Brehm to host educational workshop in conjunction with the Tourette Syndrome Association

One of the nation’s leading schools for children with complex learning disabilities, Brehm Preparatory School, will host a workshop about Tourette syndrome.

The conference, which will take place on Dec. 19, 2008, from 8:30 – 4:00 p.m., will provide information about how the condition is diagnosed, how it can be managed in the classroom and disorders associated with it. The workshop is geared towards educators and professionals who may be faced with unique challenges when dealing with children who have Tourette syndrome.

The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) is a sponsor of this event, which will be taking place at Brehm Preparatory School in the Student Activities Center. This 7-hour conference is eligible for continuing education credits and paperwork will be available on-site.

Susan Conners, M. Ed. who is an education specialist for the National Tourette Syndrome Association and served on the TSA board of directors will be the presenter. The mission of the TSA is to identify the cause of, find the cure for and control the effects of Tourette syndrome.

To find out more, or to attend the free conference/workshop, contact Brittany Morlan at 618.457.0371 or bmorlan@brehm.org.

Brehm Preparatory School is a 501 (c) (3) non-for-profit, located in Carbondale, IL. with a mission to empower students with complex learning disabilities to recognize and optimize their full potential.

Scott tells his Brehm success story.

“Brehm gave me boundaries.

By finding boundaries, I’m able to create positive relationships. I just get along with everyone better. All the great friends I’ve made at Brehm mean the world to me.

Not only has Brehm helped me with my learning disability and reading, but I now know how to choose what’s right and wrong — in any situation. I especially like the compliments I get from my grandparents.”

— Scott

Brehm featured in The Southern Newspaper

Brehm Preparatory School and it's new impact on the basketball court was featured in an article this past week in the Southern Newspaper:

"It has taken more than a decade of planning, strategizing and general logistical debate, but Brehm Preparatory School has implemented a new scholarship program this year for student-athletes with learning differences.

Brehm, among the best schools in the country at educating LD students, has welcomed a pair of students from Africa into the scholarship program. Both are ranked among the top 10 basketball players in the state of Illinois, according to ChicagoHoops.com.

"The primary responsibility for any student here is to do the academics," said executive director Rich Collins. "The basketball players we have on the prep team bring a new level of sophistication and talent, which was not on the campus before.

"Therefore, it generates excitement, but the work ethic the athletes are showing toward their academics is, again, primary."

A lot of the buzz surrounds 6-foot-9 freshman Emmanuel Ochenje, who comes to Brehm via the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Bears' power forward is ChicagoHoops.com's No. 1 ranked prospect in the 2012 class and has drawn interest from several schools, including Kentucky, Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Memphis, Oklahoma and LSU.

"We were looking to do a lot of different things," said Brehm head coach Aaron Lee, in his 16th year with the school. "Not just develop our sports program, but to diversify our campus as well as our staff. We took our basketball program from one level to the next and it's become what it is now."

ChicagoHoops.com called Ochenje a "dazzling combination of size, athleticism and skill," while competing on the travel team circuit as a part of the Illinois Titans, also coached by Lee.

"At the beginning, it was kind of different for me," Ochenje said of attending Brehm. "As soon as you get used to it, you start loving it and you just can't help it."

Making the Bears even more impressive are 6-7 forward James "Bamba" Siakam and 6-3 point guard Bruce Barron, who transferred to Brehm this season. Siakam is ChicagoHoops.com's ninth-ranked prospect in the 2011 class, while the Chicago Sun Times ranks him 11th.

"My main goal of coming to the United States was to get a good education," Siakam said. "I really want to improve my ball-handling, shot-blocking and attacking the basket."

Siakam, a native of Cameroon, put up 17 points, and went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe, in Brehm's 79-75 loss to Rend Lake College on Nov. 17. The Bears have been playing junior colleges for competition this season and led the Warriors 40-31 at halftime.

"We've got a pretty good nucleus of young kids that we think is going to give us an opportunity to be very successful in the years to come," Lee said. "We've got some very versatile kids. Our 6-6 kids can play the 2, the 3 and before coming here, some of them played the 4. In fact, Bruce played the post position at some time before coming here."

OPTIONS Program Delivers Independence

The OPTIONS Program at Brehm is a very unique place for post high school students with complex learning disabilities. It's a comprehensive transitional program, with structured apartment living. The OPTIONS Program develops students academic, employment and social skills required for success by emphasizing independent living, self-advocacy skills, and learning how to learn.

The core curriculums offered through the OPTIONS Program are designed to introduce students to a wide range of skills needed for either College Transition Track or the Certificate of Completion Track.

The first semester is dedicated to transitioning the student, monitoring progress and assessing academic competencies.

The OPTIONS Program offers:

• Structured living with Independent Living Counselors
• Social skills training & implementation
• Academic instruction
• Speech language therapy
• Nursing staff and support
• Internship participation
• Employment readiness
• Two instructional tracks:
1) College Transition Track - College class participation
with academic support
2) Certificate of Completion Track - Certificates include:
Business
Retail
Medical
Computer
Animal Care
Social Services
Food Services

To learn more about the OPTIONS Program call 618.549.4201.

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