The Brehm Family Enjoys Another Great and Very Festive Parent's Weekend

After nearly two quarters of hard work, Brehm held its semi-annual Parent's Weekend. This year, the fall banquet had a "Fall Harvest" theme and it was time for the Brehm family to eat, drink and be SCARY!

If you weren't there, here's what you missed:

Everyone was in a festive mood, with all ages dressing up for Halloween!

We had one of the greatest turn-outs for the Saturday night banquet to date.

"It was great! This Parent 's Weekend will be hard to surpass,"

said Donna Collins, Director of Admissions.

Brehm Food Service mixed it up this year, offering Halloween

cupcakes and lots of tasty carnival-themed food.

Brehm Student Council organized a student D.J., light show and fire pit.

Various activities included pumpkin & cookie decorating,

Guitar Hero, quarterback toss, zero gravity, fun inflatables and more!

The Brehm Parent's Association (BPA) awarded prizes for "Most Creative",

"Crowd Favorite" and "Scariest" costumes.

Student Council raised money by collecting monetary votes for a faculty/staff member to dress up in character and do the "Time Warp". The winner (or loser?)... Dr. Collins! Riff Raff was a definite crowd pleaser!

Here's what some staff had to say about the night:

"The party was a wonderful success.Making the theme 'Halloween' was fun and so relaxing for kids, parents and staff. Thanks to all who planned and set up. The gym looked magnificent and the food was great! The kids all had a great time with the blow-up activities and the games. Parents seemed to have as much fun dressing up as the kids did. Great job, everyone! I LOVE MY JOB!" - Barb Lawrence, Faculty

"What a memorable night! The Student Council, kids and staff looked so adorable doing the Time Warp... So lively! I loved seeing the wee ones (and not so wee ones) dressed up! Thanks to the organizers for the hard work and everyone who participated. Parents for dressing up and helping work the games!" -Deb Browne, Faculty

"It was FUN, and a nice change... We have an amazing team." - Christine Strusz, Faculty

Parent's Weekend is here!

This weekend, Brehm faculty and staff will be welcoming parents and families from across the nation. Parents will have the opportunity to attend one-on-one conferences with teachers, dorm parents, counselors and other Brehm staff.

To make the most of this weekend, various events have been scheduled. Friday night and Saturday morning, Brehm will host a college fair geared towards students with learning disabilities. Parents will also be able to attend presentations on various topics such as: robotics, paintball and transitioning to college.

The highlight of the weekend will be a Fall Harvest Carnival on Saturday night. All parents, students, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy games, activities, contests, treats, food and FUN!

Giving Education and Hope to youth is a GREAT mission, says Grandparent

“Our grandson would not have graduated from his university with a 3.17 GPA and good grades in his major (Psych), if it had not been for Brehm. The coping skills which he learned at Brehm made it possible for him to handle life’s difficulties. And the excellent academic foundation which the faculty laid – by faithful and dedicated devotion to providing the very best academic training – helped to guide and develop our grandson’s God-given talents.

He is now working on his MBA.

He is doing well and continuing to use the good foundation laid at Brehm to prepare himself to be a productive and good citizen. He has kept in touch with a few of his friends from Brehm – even flying to visit them. They, too, are succeeding in business and life.”

— A Grandfather from Missouri

College Fair for Students with Learning Disabilities Set to Take Place at Brehm

For the first time, Brehm will be hosting a college fair during the Spring Parent’s Weekend. The college fair is set to take place for members of the community on Friday, October 30th from 5-7 p.m. and for Brehm students and families on Saturday, October 31st from 9 a.m. until noon in the Student Activities Center.

This event will give our students the chance to explore a variety of post-high school programs to fit their needs. This college fair has been specially tailored towards students with learning disabilities and attention deficits. Exhibitors will include: OPTIONS Program at Brehm, junior colleges, universities and transition programs. Parents will have the opportunity to make an appointment to attend the college fair when scheduling other Parent’s Weekend activities.

For specific information, contact Coordinator of Communications, Brittany Morlan at 618.457.0371 or bmorlan@brehm.org.

How Experiential Learning Benefits Students at Brehm

(Brehm students update their nature journals as

they investigate changes within their Biomes)

The Environmental Science class at Brehm school is designed to continue students' growth in grasping earth science cycles and systems — while providing hands on opportunities for enrichment and experiential learning. Environmental Science is also a good example of how classes at Brehm include different important teaching components:

• Traditional direct instruction of information via text, notes, and lecture with visuals.
• Connections through current event, non-fiction, and fiction materials both written and in video/speaker format.
• Investigation through journaling, sketching and research.
• Experiential learning through models, demonstrations, and experiments.

Experiential learning is the process of making meaning from direct experience.

Each student in the Environmental Science class is assigned their own Biome, a 4 by 4 foot area of outdoor space on Brehm's 80 acre campus. Along with the the instruction presented by the teacher, students research, create a nature journal, organize materials, write an informative paper, and present a lesson plan of their own design to their classmates about the Biome.

The nature journal is an on-going project that requires the student to follow the cycle of life that occurs within their Biome. Students are given writing prompts and/or sketching prompts and are set free to record what they see. Changes are particularly noted, art is made from the experience, while vocabulary from class is required to be inserted within the students written presentation. This allows for a greater understanding of the concepts in class.

Another example of experiential learning within the class would be the mock mining site set up. A very large plastic bowl with peanuts and other material is used to represent the land. The objective is to mine as many peanuts as possible while trying to do the least amount of damage to the environment around the peanuts. Discussion and viewing of actual mining sites on-line help them put the in class experience in context.

Lastly, students are given opportunities to read, watch, and comment on articles, book excerpts, and videos that pertain to current issues that are facing us and our environment. Students are asked to brainstorm and address orally and through writing how their individual lives touch the environment in which we live.

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Brehm Boys & Girls Basketball Schedule Finalized

The schedule for the boys and girls 2009-10 basketball has been finalized.

All games are set to take place on Brehm campus in the Student Activities Center gym. Girls will play at 6pm and the boys will follow. Dates and times are subject to change.

GO TEAM BREHM!!

Success with Complex Learning Disabilities — Part 2 of 12

Brehm Academics

Our small class sizes allows for one-on-one attention

(only 1 to 8 students in each class). Together, we find the
study skills that work best for each student.

Brehm students receive their own individualized educational plan. We emphasize differentiated instruction and small class sizes. Instruction is delivered by highly trained, experienced faculty certified in learning disabilities, content instruction, and/or speech and language pathology.

Cross-curricular competencies and state standards are the focus of Brehm’s curriculum.

Our student’s mastery of these interdisciplinary competencies promotes successful performance in school, the workplace, and the community:

• Acquiring Information
• Communication
• Reasoning
• Self-management
• Technology Skill Sets

Learning how to learn is supported through the learning cognition classes for the duration of a student’s academic career at Brehm. Eighty-eight percent of Brehm graduates go on to a post-secondary experience.

The Brehm academic curriculum is accredited or approved by:

• Illinois State Board of Education
• North Central Association
• Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

Students set goals and objectives through a team process and are assessed across a multi-tier curricula. Standard courses meet college requirements. Modified courses teach at a student’s instructional level. Remedial classes target specific deficits. Student progress is measured by criterion referenced testing and yearly administration of standardized testing.

Also see:
Welcome to Brehm School
(part 1 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

We took pictures today!

Today, Brehm students got their 2009-2010 school photos taken by Lifetouch photographers.

Packages that were ordered and purchased ahead of time will be mailed directly to parents' homes. It will take at least one month for orders to be processed and mailed out.

If you did not purchase a package, you still have time! Call a representative from Lifetouch at 618.288.7896 to order a photo package.

If your child was absent today, a re-take day has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 1st.

For more information, contact Brittany Morlan, Coordinator of Communications at 618.457.0371 or bmorlan@brehm.org.

Brehm to Host the 2009 Harvard Medical School/Dyslexia Foundation Video-Conference

On October 16th, Brehm will be the host to the 2009 Harvard Medical School/Dyslexia Foundation conference via live feed.

The video-conference will take place from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Brehm Preparatory School Student Activities Center. It is geared towards teachers and parents who want to hear the latest information on practical application and scientific foundation on literacy, reading and development. This conference is eligible for AHSA and Illinois continuing education units. Forms will be available on-site.

The Dyslexia Foundation is sponsoring this yearly event. Topics covered will include: what's new on the horizon, early childhood development, reading development in school age children, reading comprehension, literacy development and learner assessment and program evaluation.

For more information or to attend this conference, contact Coordinator of Communications, Brittany Morlan at bmorlan@brehm.org.

OPTIONS Girls Sweep Martial Arts Competition

For the last two years, the young women of OPTIONS have participated in Self Defense classes at Black's Martial Arts, in Carbondale, Illinois.

Recently, Master Black encouraged four girls who earned their yellow belts to participate in a martial arts tournament. All accepted the invitation and travelled to Tamms, Illinois to participate in the 2009 Khourie's Black Belts of the Faith Martial Arts Tournament.

All girls excelled in the competition, placing 1st in forms and breaking boards.

Each young woman set a wonderful example for OPTIONS and Black's Martial Arts.

"It has been wonderful working with the girls. It has been amazing to see their self confidence soar. Most were shy initially, but then went on to compete in front of hundreds, which takes an incredible amount of courage," said Master Black, instructor. "They did excellent."

"We love having the opportunity to work with the OPTIONS girls," said Carol Black, Black's Martial Arts representative. "They are a very fine group of young women."

At this rate, the yellow belts will be promoted to green belts and the white belts will be promoted to yellow belts.

Another tournament will take place on December 5th and we anticipate that all OPTIONS girls who are taking martial arts classes will be able to participate.

Brehm Grads Sarah and Samantha

Brehm School's Commitment to International Students.

Brehm School has long valued the diversity that international students have brought to its campus. Since 1982, Brehm has welcomed international students from diverse areas of the world.

Brehm is approved by the International Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and is a certified Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) school. Brehm’s Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) can issue an I-20 to those students wishing to enroll at Brehm.

Our international students have represented these home countries:

• Belgium
• Cameroon
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• India
• Ireland
• Ivory Coast
• Latvia
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• The United Emirates

Brehm is an accredited junior-senior high school for students, grades 6 through 12, as well as post-high school for students with complex learning disabilities.

Brehm uses the term “complex” learning disabilities in recognition that students experience difficulties in multiple areas of functioning. Brehm’s holistic program focuses on the combined academic, social and emotional effects of having a learning disability. Our students often have multiple diagnoses affecting their performance with the core issue of having a language-based etiology. We recognize the combined effects of LD/ADD, language based processing issues, executive function issues and the social and psychological implications of not being successful in an academic environment. Brehm offers direct interventions for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, NLD, aspergers, anxiety disorder, tourettes, auditory processing disorder, speed of processing disorders and interventions requiring behavioral and emotional support as it relates to academic issues.

Brehm admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, so there is no deadline to apply. For more information please contact Admissions at 618-457-0371 or admissionsinfo@brehm.org.

Brehm Students Enjoy an Afternoon of Soccer

After the rain cleared on Saturday, Brehm students were able to enjoy a full afternoon of soccer at the first tournament of the year.

Participating teams included Brehm, Westwood Baptist Academy and Trinity Christian School. Though Brehm finished with a 0-2 record, they played hard and competed very well in both contests.

Brehm student, Eli scores a perfect goal from the corner.

Supervised by Rec staff, students were able to enjoy a day of fun.

The Brehm Bears rally around Coach Jim Wooldridge

Team members and spectators both enjoyed the day and played hard

Brehm staff and students take a moment

out to take a photo, create a memory

Brehm students turned out in mass despite the early rain. They were able to enjoy an afternoon of fun and friends. Recreation and dorm staff grilled out for students and spectators, while Brehm Speech-Language Pathologist and Student Council sponsor Barb Drew ran concession and played music.

Student Council Speeches & Voting Take Place on Brehm Campus

This week Brehm campus was able to experience another year of student council speeches and voting. It was unanimous around campus that this was, without a doubt, the best display of students speeches to date!

Students took turns giving organized speeches & arguments on

why they should be voted onto the Brehm Student Council.

Candidates presented to a large enthusiastic group of students.

The theme this year was change and it was greatly embraced! Congratulations to the 2009-2010 Student Council:

• Chris, Super Senior
  
• Will, Super Senior
• Austen, Sophmore
  
• Keanu, Senior
• Gannon, 8th grade
  
• Rishi, Super Senior
• Randy, Super Senior
  
• Max, Sophmore
• Lisa, Sophmore
  
• David, Freshman
• Neil, Senior
  
• Steve, Senior
• Dan, Senior
  
• Hicks, Senior
• Andrew, Junior

This year, students put in the extra effort campaigning, making signs and promoting their cause.

Of the elections, Deb Browne, Brehm Speech-Language Pathologist said,

" When I see students taking such big risks, expressing themselves so well, supporting each other, talking about being positive and looking sharp, I am filled with the wonder of what we do here together. It is nothing less than a miracle of the human spirit to see you overcome whatever hurdles you have faced to shine and to try. Thank you for your inspiration."

Congratulations! Your efforts paid off!

Support of Brehm Parents Helps All Areas of Program

Philip Alexander hands over the keys to the new

John Deere to Coordinator of Development Russ Williams

Recently, current Brehm parents, Philip and Sarah Alexander, donated a new John Deere lawn tractor. The tractor will be frequently put to use for the new soccer & paintball fields, as well as in the winter for plowing snow off of driveways and sidewalks.

In the past, the Alexanders have supported the Robotics program, which their son has been involved in for years. Since 2005, they have also donated three John Deere Gators, which have become very popular and multi-functional on campus.

We are very thankful to have the continued support of families like the Alexanders, whose graciousness affects all areas of program.

Soccer Season is Underway!

This year, the Brehm soccer team has been preparing for what is sure to be the most exciting season yet! This Monday, the Brehm Bears, led by Coach Jim Wooldridge, will face off against Trinity.

Be sure to check back to see upcoming away games (not yet scheduled).

Come check us out!

Brehm Receives the Gift of Photography

Recently, Brehm received a generous donation of camera equipment from a current parent. The donation included five Nikon cameras, various lenses, 35mm lenses, filters, protective covers, memory cards, manuals, books, tripods, a flash and cases for each set of cameras and will be used in PACT (Photographic Arts and Computer Technology) classes.

"This donation not only added an opportunity for my PACT classes, but added to many different aspects of program," said PACT teach, Chrissy Strusz.

Digital photography has always been an element to PACT since the class started, however, true and professional digital photography and photographic elements have not been a part of the curriculum, until now.

This new technology opens up a new door and creates new possibilities to enhance the educational experience of our students.

"I can now integrate the elements of photography, and teach students about shutter speed, aperture, depth of field and the true manual possibilities of a professional camera," said Strusz.

Brehm students have always excelled in the area of creativity and we look forward to seeing the amazing outcome the students will produce with these cameras.

This donation not only effects the PACT class, but will also be beneficial to many other elements of program like the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team, athletics, plays, and the yearbook.

"It is a very generous donation," said Strusz. "My students and I anxiously waited and watched the window for the Fed Ex truck. We wanted to see those beautiful, packed boxes as they came off the truck."

We would like to thank donors for their continued support of Brehm's mission. In-kind gifts are put to good use and always appreciated.

The Yellin Center Recognizes Brehm School

The Yellin Center is an assessment and student care organization dedicated to helping all learners experience genuine success in school and in life. The Yellin Center is affiliated with the New York University School of Medicine and directed by Paul B. Yellin, M.D., FAAP. The Yellin Center published an article praising Brehm School today.

The Yellin Center has been concerned about the scarcity of boarding schools for students with complex learning needs. The article points out that many children don't have just one reading or language issue — that social and emotional issues often come into play.

The article compliments Brehm for it's unique Holistic educational program (fulfilling students academic, social and emotional needs):

"...too many of the best private schools for student with significant learning needs specifically limit their programs to students with "language based learning disabilities". That's fine if your child has straightforward reading or language difficulties , but leaves very few settings for the many children whose needs don't fit neatly into this category.

We recently had a terrific conversation with Dr. Richard Collins, Executive Director and Headmaster of the Brehm School, a private boarding school in Carbondale, Illinois, for students in grades 6-12. Brehm works with students with complex needs, who may have difficulties in more than one area of learning and whose learning difficulties are complicated by emotional issues and limited social skills. Their impressive curriculum includes integrated instruction to address all areas of deficit while building academic success."

Brehm Prep Basketball Schedule is Finalized for the 2009-10 Season

Basketball season is coming!

Mark your calendars and don't miss the opportunity to see the Brehm Prep basketball team in another thrilling season.

Come to support Brehm and check out some of Illinois' top recruits.

GO TEAM BREHM!!

OPTIONS Students Benefit from New Workshop

Students in the OPTIONS Program have just completed the three-week “Balancing Relationships Workshop” with great success! The workshop was designed to help build confidence in social settings and to find a balance between Program obligations and peer relationships. There were three gender specific social strategy meetings each Sunday, which allowed for open discussion about the daily skills needed to create and maintain positive friendships. The topics of discussion included finding balance with yourself first, restoring natural harmony, introducing yourself to others, levels of friendships, dating etiquette and many other social skills.

One student responded by saying, “I have never had a support group where so much revolved around my daily life. It just fits perfectly into my transition to OPTIONS!”

The OPTIONS Recreation Program was designed to help facilitate the workshop. The students signed up for Co-Ed activities each weekend, but also had the opportunity to participate in mandatory gender specific activities. The activities helped build a bond between students and created a safe nourishing environment for them to step out of their comfort zone.

The “Balancing Relationships Workshop” provided the foundation for the students to grow upon over the semester. Since then, the OPTIONS Program has seen an increase in student participation and some students have created new friendships within the Program and in the community.

During the first three weeks of the workshop, students participated

in gender specific sessions on building relationships.

OPTIONS students first were able to utilize new skills in familiar

environments such as single-sex rec activities and at school.

Co-ed recreational activities allowed students to use skills &

strategies when interacting with the opposite sex.

Scott Donovan, OPTIONS faculty, said that since the workshop, he has seen great results. Students are obviously taking the time to think about what balancing a relationship means and acting accordingly.

The OPTIONS (Optimizing Potential Through Individualized, On-going, Nurtured Successes) Program at Brehm is a comprehensive transitional program for students with learning disabilities who have graduated from high school, earned their GED, or who have chosen to defer graduation in order to participate in a transitional program.

Campus Forum Creates Community for Brehm Students

What is Campus Forum?

Each Wednesday afternoon, Brehm students attend Campus Forum. This weekly meeting, held in the Student Activities Center, is led by Dr. Collins, Dr. Brown or residential supervisors Pam Altman and Theresa Miller.

Campus Forum is an avenue used to convey or discuss particular issues of the day or topics weighing heavily on campus. Topics can range from relationships, dating and substance abuse, to bullying, hazing and general differences. From time to time, students will get the opportunity to hear guest speakers or give students council speeches.

Campus Forum has a structured format so that in time, students know what to expect.

"It's a nice avenue for students to be able to share what is on their minds,"says Faculty Member Jen Conwell.

"It gives kids a bigger perspective and helps them to see we all have problems and they aren't uncommon," said Conwell.

"Once students are comfortable with the Brehm community, they are able to see how Brehm is different from other schools.," Conwell added.

This week's interactive Campus Forum covered different types of learning disabilities and Brehm's "No Excuse for Abuse" policy. Students were able to exchange thoughts and ideas regarding the topic.

Students gathered in the Dining Hall with faculty and staff

for this year's introductory campus forum.

Faculty Member Geo Flint discusses issues with students.

Welcome back Brehm students!

Over the weekend, Southern Illinois was blessed with beautiful pre-fall weather and Brehm was able to fully enjoy another successful Move-In Weekend. The streak continues and students are easily adjusting and taking full advantage of outdoor conditions.

Each Wednesday following Campus Forum, students participate in scheduled rec activities. Each student is able to exercise time management and planning skills by choosing which activity they would like to participate in. Students choose from activities such as: archery, hiking, board games, frisbee golf, intramural sports, volunteer work and more.

Welcome back!