Congratulations Brehm Class of 2010!

Proud parents, families, and friends celebrated
with our new graduates this past weekend!

The Class of 2010 has graduated and the Brehm campus becomes quiet until the fall......

or does it?

Although our newest graduates have left campus to use the skills and knowledge from their years of work at Brehm, our fiscal year continues until June 30th.

There is still time for you to honor this year's class of bright and talented graduates with a tax deductible gift to the 2009-2010 Brehm Annual Giving Campaign.With only 20 days left and $38,000 to go, we need your help to reach our 2009-2010 goal. There are 3 simple ways to make your tax deductible contribution or pledge:

1. Via Credit Card online now (click the donate button to the right)

2. Phone Russell Williams, Brehm Coordinator of Development, at (618) 457-0371 ext 1308 (or email rwilliams@brehm.org).

3. Send a check or credit card information via US Mail to: Russell Williams, Coordinator of Development, Brehm Preparatory School, 1245 E. Grand Avenue, Carbondale, IL 62901

Brehm Preparatory School Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit which empowers students with complex learning disabilities to recognize and achieve their full potential.

Brehm Business Club Goes on a Field Trip

Brehm School's FBLA club (Future Business Leaders of America) went on a field trip to "My Favorite Toys" in the Carbondale University Mall last week.

Fourteen FBLA students were met by Samuel and Suzanne Cox, the store’s owners. Samuel and Suzanne started the independent specialty toy store for children and adults almost five years ago. Between the two of them, they have 50+ years as educators and advocates for the development of children and adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders (ADD).

Sam spoke to the group about how he and his wife started the business and what the day-to-day business responsibilities are like. Sam strongly suggested that before you decide to start a business, you should feel very passionate about it, save enough money, and always budget for slower periods of time (especially the first few months or years.) The students were very interested and asked some very impressive questions.

In between helping customers, Suzanne gave a fun demonstration of a couple of the unique toys they sell. The students definitely enjoyed themselves.

Thank you, Samuel and Suzanne, for this excellent opportunity for Brehm students to learn more about the business world.

Brehm School Alumni become business owners, teachers, college professors, entrepreneurs, nurses, reporters, I.T. specialists, graphic designers, social workers, sculptors, artists, brokers, and more. Eighty-eight percent of Brehm graduates continue on to colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools.

Read more about Brehm’s FBLA Club:

The Brehm Chapter of FBLA is Up and Running

Brehm Students Welcome New Student Organization

The End is Near!

In just a week, Brehm will be saying goodbye to our graduates. On Friday, June 4th, we will hold our annual commencement ceremonies at 5 p.m. in the Student Activities enter.

Beginning at 4 p.m., graduation photos will be taken in East Academic. Parents should have received an information packet from Lifetouch with package and pricing options.

This year, like every other, Brehm students have been accepted to college, universities and transition programs across the nation.

Some of these achievements include:

• Dan S. - Lynn University and was awarded a $6,000 scholarship
• Steve G. - OPTIONS Post-Secondary Program
• Greg C. - Full Sail University and was awarded a $10,000 scholarship
• Randy A. - Lincoln College and was awarded a $6,000 scholarship
• Mike L.- University of Tennessee and was awarded an athletic scholarship
• Oto O. - University of Minnesota and was awarded an athletic scholarship
• James S. - Vanderbilt and was awarded with an athletic scholarship
• and several more!

Congratulations to the Class of 2010!

For additional information regarding graduation, please contact Brittany Morlan, Coordinator if Communications at bmorlan@brehm.org or 618.457.0371.

Success with Complex Learning Disabilities — Part 6 of 12

Art and Multimedia Visual Communications

Brehm School understands that a creative outlet is crucial for its students, so students are encouraged to explore the arts with our talented instructors. Brehm students produce local and regional award winning artwork.

Traditional Art classes include:

• Painting
• Collage
• 3-D art
• Silk-screening
• and other creative techniques

Multimedia Visual Communications classes include:

• Photography
• Computer Art
• Video

Students learn the very latest software and produce graphic and video works of art. These include the school yearbook and photographic projects, as well as individual and group video projects.

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

Academics at Brehm
(Part 2 of 12)

Speech and Language
(Part 3 of 12)

Brehm Campus Life
(Part 4 of 12)

Healthy Students are Happy Students
(Part 5 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

OPTIONS Girls Do It Again!

As a part of Speech & Language therapy, the ladies of the OPTIONS Program at Brehm have been participating in self-defense classes and competitions at Black's Martial Arts Academy. Martial Arts has been a huge contributing factor in aiding and improving sequencing, memory, auditory processing, pragmatic language, balance, posture and self-confidence.

Recently, participants demonstrated their forms, punches, kicks, blocks and breaking of boards for a grueling 1.5 hours. Five of the ladies promoted to 1st degree green belt, while Libby G. and Blaire C. were double promoted- a first in Black's Martial Arts history. The three remaining ladies were promoted to green belt.

The OPTIONS group demonstrates blocks...

... followed by nearly flawless forms.

A proud group flashes broken boards with Master Black.

Congratulations to the OPTIONS ladies who participated in this event and achieved success!

Brehm is Set to Host the IBIDA Karismath Teacher Certification Course

This summer, Brehm School will host the Illinois Branch of the International Dyslexia Association's Karismath Teacher Certification Course.

The three-day course is set to take place June 15-17, 8:15 until 3:15 daily on Brehm campus.

The Karismath Teacher Certification Course is designed for educators and parents and demonstrates a way to teach math to those whom the standard curriculum has failed. This new approach to math instruction can be used on its own or as a complement to standard curriculum materials to help students understand math concepts, reason mathematically, and appreciate the rationale underlying algorithms.

Click here for more information and pricing or contact the IBIDA at 630.469.6900.

Brehm Students are Honored with the City of Carbondale Youth Award

Each year the City of Carbondale recognizes outstanding youth who have gone above and beyond expectations to receive an education. Students are also judged on living a healthy lifestyle and making a difference through their actions.

"The recipients from Brehm demonstrate characteristics of empowerment that Brehm fosters, that is their knowledge of self, acceptance and knowledge of self as a social being, " said Suzy Lanning-Ventura, Brehm faculty member.

Getty A. (10th grade), Chris N.B. (12th grade), Joey B. (10th grade) and Dylan K. (12th grade) were recognized as Outstanding Youth at a Carbondale City Council meeting. Mayor Brad Cole presented the awards to the individuals in the presence of their nominator, elected officials and the media.

Congratulations to the Brehm Prep students receiving this honor and the Brehm staff who work with the students daily.

Brehm Students Celebrate Culture in Spain

This year's international trip to Spain was a huge success. As customary with ACIS Educational Travel Company, students were able to explore a variety of areas throughout Spain. To make the trip even more memorable, the eruption of the volcano in Iceland added three more fun-filled days in Barcelona. As usual, the students rallied and kept up their spirits, spending additional time sight-seeing and shopping.

Students had the opportunity to see a real bullfight in Madrid.

The exterior of a cathedral in Zaragoza, where students were

also able to get a taste of authentic Spanish cuisine.

Group shot of Brehm students & chaperones outside

of Alcazar Castle in Zaragoza.

Paseo del Espolon in Burgos, where sycamore trees are pruned

so they fuse together, making a shade canopy in summer.

The light & delicate ceilings of a cathedral ceiling in Burgos, Spain.

Students visited Pau, France, where they explored the Avenue of the Pyrenees.

McKenzie, a Brehm student is photographed on the beach

in beautiful San Sebastian, a popular beach resort.

Parc Guell, a garden complex with architectural elements in Barcelona.

Another shot of Parc Guell, built from 1900-1914 by the

famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.

Brehm students leave their mark in San Sebastian.

Additionally, Brehm students visited the world famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbo and sample the holy waters of Lourdes. The trip was undoubtedly a great closing point of the year. A great time was had by all.

The time has finally arrived....

... For Brehm's annual school play! Tomorrow night at 7 p.m., Brehm will be presenting a comedic performance of "13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview."

For the last three months, play sponsors Geo Flint, Jen Conwell and students have been dedicating their spare time to prepare for the play. Brehm students have the opportunity to be a part of the cast, as well as work as stage hands, construct the set, backgrounds and props.

Come out to support Team Brehm and be sure not to miss this one-time performance!

Date: Saturday, May 8th

Location: Student Activities Center

Time: 7 p.m.

Announcing Brehm School's New Website!

It is with great pleasure that Brehm School announces the launch of our new and improved website, which can be accessed by clicking:

http://www.brehm.org

Brehm's new website was designed for prospective and current parents as well as education professionals. Some of the main features of our new website include:

• Improved appearance to better reflect Brehm School's value and success.
• New navigation structure and content to provide intuitively organized information.
• Powerful images and videos to keep visitors at our site longer.

Areas of the site include a Videos page, Calendar, Parent Portal (found under "Community"), Board of Trustees bios, Testimonials, FAQs, Visit Brehm, Request Information, Brehm Curriculum, Recreation and Clubs, and Sports, Brehm Success, Annual Campaign, Foundation Endowment, links to the BrehmBlog.com news website, and much much more.

Brehm Holds Prom for the 2009-2010 School Year

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, so do the traditional end of year activities. Brehm recently held its prom, with this year's theme being inspired by the Beatles titled, "All You Need is Love".

Students took a huge role in planning, decorating and creating all the decorations used for prom. Their hard work paid off because this year's prom was truly amazing & memorable.

Brehm boys take time out to ham it up for the camera.

For the night, Brehm faculty, students & staff knew

how it felt to "live in a yellow submarine."

One photo, a million memories.

Brehm royalty: King Greg & Queen Miki

"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes..."

A prom classic: DANCING!

Brehm was a very happy host to the British Invasion

(another student-made decoration).

Necessities for prom: friends, a date, a fabulous outfit & a fierce smile!

Students who attended prom were also

able to ride in a limo & go to dinner.

Another highlight of the night, and new addition to Brehm's prom is The Lydia Walthes Award. This award was created in memory of Lydia, a former faculty member. This year the Award, which is a $500 scholarship to the student's school of choice, was presented to Senior, Will S. Money for the award is raised by the Student Council.

We did it!

As previously mentioned, for the first time ever, Brehm sponsored a Relay For Life team. Over the weekend, students, faculty and staff participated in the 12 hour event which included a wide range of activities including dance groups, a ponytail drive, survivor stories, bagpipers, luminaria, Battle of the Bands, contests, Drive-In movie and more.

For first time competitors, Brehm did amazingly well. The initial goal was to raise $1000 and a team theme to "imagine a life without cancer." The team more than doubled the goal and was able to raise $2063. Brehm was awarded with The American Cancer Society Bronze Team Award and Community Rookie Team of the Year!

A special congratulations goes out to those who supported Brehm's Relay For Life efforts, especially the students who participated in events.

Relay For Life of Jackson County-Carbondale was held at Carbondale High School. Thanks to participants, all groups collectively raised more than $100,000 for the fight against cancer.

GO TEAM BREHM!!

Outdoor Skills Club Takes a Field Trip!

Recently, Brehm's Outdoor Skills Club was able to venture out into the wild, for a camping trip to the Smokey Mountains. The four day trip allowed the group to put their skills to use through camping, hiking and enjoying good food & good company!

Group shot for the 2010 Spring Outdoor Skills Camping Trip

And away they go!!

In Outdoor Living Skills, students are taught

survival & preparation for outdoor excursions.

Students & staff were able to hike the Appalachian Trail in the Smokey Mountains.

A favorite moment for students: being outside & enjoying a blossoming Spring!

Roasting marshmallows- a camping classic!

The group also learned how to make stir fry on an open fire!

Good company, great memories!

Brehm Megahurts Launch a New Website

The Brehm Robotics Megahurts #2219 have launched a new, interactive website. The site has new and archived content and has a great modern look.

Check the site out to get the latest of Brehm Megahurts and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) news. For bonus information log-in or register for continuous updates or to become a contributor.

Take a look, join and share Megahurts success stories at www.megahurts2219.com.

For more information on the Brehm Megahurts team, contact Jonathan Cohen at 618.457.0371 or jcohen@brehm.org.

Advancing Students - Speech and Language

Brehm Sponsors a Relay for Life Team

Brehm has teamed up with the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer. Students, faculty and staff have volunteered to participate in a local Relay for Life event, set to take place on April 24th at Carbondale High School.

The Relay for Life is one of the world's largest fundraisers and consists of a 12 hour walk, games, concert, talent show, Luminaria event, ponytail drive, food and FUN!

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life raises money for cancer research, education and support. This year, Brehm's goal is to raise $1000 to help this fight. If you would like to help us reach our goal, you can donate through our team website, or contact Brehm sponsors Lance Williams or Richard Ventura at 618.457.0371.

Parent's Weekend Has Arrived!

Just as Spring has arrived, so has Parent's Weekend! This weekend, Brehm is welcoming all parents, students, alumni and more for bi-annual festivities. Not only will parents be attending meetings, but we will also host our Spring Banquet, student Talent Show, Student Silent Art Auction and more.

Other noteworthy events include:

• April 9th - April 18th - Brehm International Trip
• April 23rd - Prom
• May 1st & 2nd - Brehm Paintball Tournament
• May 8th - Comedic performance of "13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview"
• June 4th - Commencement Ceremonies

For more information on any of these events, please contact Brittany Morlan, Brehm Coordinator of Communications at 618.457.0371.

Spring is in the Air!!

Spring has finally arrived in Southern Illinois and students, faculty and staff did not waste any time taking advantage of it.

On Wednesday, the campus took a break from long advisement for a spontaneous Wiffle Ball "Tournament" between academic buildings East, West and Patton Hall. Students wore their colors and cheered each other on for this spur of the moment activity. It was a great day for hamming it up outside while people tried to hit the ball in 40 mph winds.

Unfortunately, time ran short and the "Tournament" was incomplete. But, Wiffle Ball is sure to make another appearance on Brehm campus.

Izak scores!

Matt and faculty members Barb Lawrence and

Marian Appiah-Kubi show Patton Pride!

Bard Drew, SLP, with students, cheers on Patton Hall.

Armen, Will & Alex stop to show support for their team... Patton Hall!!