Brehm Students Excel in Local Art Competitions

Brehm understands that a creative outlet is crucial for its students, so students are encouraged to explore the arts with our talented instructors.

Students in Nan Novara and Chrissy Strusz's Art and Multi-Media Visual Communications Classes recently participated in two local art competitions.

Fourteen Brehm students were selected to display art at this year's John A. Logan College Regional High School Art Competition. Of this group, 3 Brehm students received awards:

• Kevin C., 1st Place in Photography
• Armen B., 3rd Place in 2D/Other Media
• Eli F., Best of Show

In celebration of "Teen Tech Week", Brehm students also participated in the Carbondale Public Library Digital Photo Contest. Brehm students swept this category, taking the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. (Photos shown below.)

Photo taken by Randy A., overall 3rd place winner

of the Carbondale Public Library Digital Photo Contest.

Photo taken by Greg C., overall 1st place winner

of the Carbondale Public Library Digital Photo Contest.

Photo taken by Miki N., overall 2nd place winner

of the Carbondale Public Library Digital Photo Contest.

These photos are a small sampling of the caliber of artists and photographers we have here at Brehm.

Congratulations to all participants and winners of these contests! We are so proud of all our artists at Brehm!

Brehm School - Residential Life

Residential life is an integral part of the Brehm School education.

Brehms daily structure allows students to feel more confident and comfortable with how each day will unfold, which is the foundation of our decades of success. Students begin their home away from home daily routine with a family style breakfast, followed by school and recreational activities. Dinner time means a healthy dinner in the dining hall, then chores, free time, study hall, and one more period of free time followed by lights out.

There are 3 boys dorms and 2 girls dorms. Each students is supervised by two dorm parents and multiple assistants.

Brehms family style living environment, with the oversight and direction of our highly experienced Brehm leadership, fosters countless, real-life, teachable moments, which in turn promote more responsibility and independent thinking. Students learn both the social skills for interacting with other people and the independent living skills needed to live as happy productive individuals.

More Brehm and OPTIONS Success Stories

Eli, a Brehm School senior was recently awarded with a substantial scholarship to Lynn University, located in Boca Raton, Florida.

Many other Brehm students are discovering success and have been accepted into post-secondary programs such as: The University of North Carolina - Greensboro, Gardner-Webb University and The Art Institute of Philadelphia's Culinary Program.

Also this year, two OPTIONS students have been accepted to Southern Illinois University - Carbondale to continue their education.

Congratulations to all upcoming Brehm & OPTIONS graduates. We wish you the best of luck with your future and achieving your goals!

The Brehm Robotics Team Return from Competition

Over the weekend, the Brehm Robotics Team Megahurts travelled to St. Louis for the first of two regional competitions. Like many teams, the Brehm Megahurts experienced some difficulties with this year's Breakaway Challenge. Some issues the team faced had to do with factors such as new field competition management, the new swerve drive system and short 10 minute intervals between matches.

Like a true, seasoned team, the Megahurts handled the pressure and stress very well and finished 25th overall.

For highlights from this year's competition, check out this video.

Over the next two weeks, Team Megahurts will be making some slight modifications to their robot in preparation for the North Star Regional in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the University of Minnesota Mariucci Arena. The North Star Regional is set to take place April 1st-3rd.

For more information, contact Brehm or visit www.megahurts2219.com for progress updates and photos.

The Brehm Chapter of FBLA is Up & Running

Brehm's 2010 Future Business Leader's of America Club

(some members not pictured)

Brehm's newest student organization, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) is officially up and running. This week, the groups held its initial meeting.

Sal Costello, Brehm's Creative Marketing Director was invited to speak about his approx. 20 years of professional experience. With the group, he shared how his education, experience and business endeavors have affected his career.

"Students were very interested and asked many insightful questions," said Mary Hart, FBLA sponsor and faculty member.

The group is showing a lot of enthusiasm, energy and interest in Brehm's new Charter FBLA group.

"We hope to make progress and accomplish our goal this year and start off in the Fall school year with a big bang," said Hart.

Click here to read "Brehm Students Welcome New Student Organization"

Brehm Robotics Team Meagahurts is Off for the Competition!

Yesterday, the Brehm family came together to send off the Brehm Robotics Team Megahurts with well wishes! Students, faculty & staff gathered to wish Team Megahurts a Bon Voyage.

Students, faculty & staff congregated, complete with

songs and pep chants for Team Megahurts.

These latest photos were taken on-site at the Chaifetz Arena at St. Louis University during the qualifying round of the 2010 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition.

Team Megahurts makes some final adjustments to the robot they have been

planning, designing, building and programming for the last six weeks.

The Robotics Competition will take place this Friday and Saturday, March 19th and 20th in St. Louis at the Chaifetz Arena on St. Louis University campus from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Be sure to come out and support Brehm Robotics.

Go team Brehm!!

Brehm Faculty Participate in Training During Break

While Brehm students were off campus for Spring Break, faculty had the opportunity to participate in professional development courses for Apple computers.

For two days, an Apple Professional Development Trainer was on campus teaching faculty about "Technology Infused Learning". The goal of the class was to ensure that faculty and students are getting the most out of Brehm's assistive technology. Topics covered include: using the internet more productively and ways students can collect digital data, using iLife applications to exhibit student understanding and how to design technology infused lessons.

Faculty and students both will be armed with new skills after break. Training sessions such as this are on of many reasons Brehm's staff is second to none.

Success with Complex Learning Disabilities — Part 5 of 12

Healthy students are happy students!

Healthy Food/Dining

A healthy breakfast menu is served in each of the dorm kitchens daily. Lunch and dinner meals at Brehm are prepared on campus and served fresh in the school dining hall.

Brehm’s kitchen staff prepares meals with as many fresh, locally sourced meats, fruits, and vegetables as possible. Processed foods, fried foods, and refined sugars are kept to a minimum. A fresh low-calorie fruit and salad bar is always offered at lunch and dinner time.

Physical Fitness Program

Most Brehm students have a daily physical fitness class. Cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance/strength, and percentage of body fat are the primary focal points. We set goals and check progress. We know that our students look better and feel better about themselves when they are physically fit.

When students feel healthier, it boosts their self-esteem, and that can help students with all aspects of Brehm’s holistic model (fulfilling their academic, social, and emotional needs.)

Medical and Clinical Support

In keeping with Brehm’s holistic model, the medical and clinical support team addresses the mind, body, and spirit of each student.

The medical and clinical support team consists of highly experienced, dedicated, and qualified nursing administrators, registered nurses, social workers, counselors and clinical psychologists — who continuously assess the medical, psychiatric and psychological needs of our students.

The clinical team makes recommendations to physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists both locally and at home. Nurses manage student medications, coordinate appointments, and keep parents updated.

Through the clinical team, students have the opportunity to participate in support groups such as the Formalized Social Skills Group, Transition Support Group, Adoption Group, Women’s Empowerment Group, and Dialectic Behavior Therapy Group.

Through direct education and counseling of students, as well as coordination with teachers, the residential staff, and Brehm’s kitchen staff, the medical and clinical support team promotes healthy lifestyle choices such as proper nutrition, diet, personal hygiene, and exercise. This ensures that each student is in the best possible physical and emotional health to benefit from the Brehm experience.

Also read:
Welcome to Brehm School
(part 1 of 12)

Academics
(Part 2 of 12)

Speech and Language
(Part 3 of 12)

Campus Life
(Part 4 of 12)

Brehm, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, is a unique family style boarding school that empowers students, grades 6 to 12, with complex learning disabilities to recognize and optimize their full potential. Brehm offers a unique holistic program that individually addresses each student’s academic, emotional, and social needs. Eighty-eight percent of Brehm graduates continue on to colleges, junior colleges, technical or vocational schools across the country.

Brehm has a rolling admission. Contact admissions today by calling (618) 457-0371 or email: admissionsinfo@brehm.org

Brehm Robotics Receive Aisin Donation

Coordinator of Development Russell Williams accepts a check from Cheri Romonsky of Aisin Manufacturing for their sponsorship of Brehm's Robotics Team.

For the second consecutive year, Aisin Manufacturing has made a donation to enhance Brehm Robotics. Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC (AMI) is one of three Aisin plants located in Marion, Illinois. AMI manufactures a wide range of products for some of the most demanding customers in the automotive industry including Toyota, General Motors, Lexus and Mitsubishi. These products include sunroofs, side and back door components, center pillar garnishes and door handles.

For information on how you can impact Robotics or other Brehm programs, contact Russell Williams, Coordinator of Development at 618.457.0371 or rwilliams@brehm.org