Brighton Rocks! Lets' Celebrate
50years All Staff Day
Event Program
Dear Brighton Staff,
50 Years. 5 Decades. 599 Months. 2607 Weeks. 18,250 Days. 438,000 Hours. For any organization to reach the 50 year milestone is an amazing feat. For Brighton Center, it’s just the beginning. What started as an incredibly innovative and fresh idea has become a San Antonio staple and THE place for kids with disabilities to go to be their absolute best. One of the things I love most about Brighton Center is that it was started by, improved by and driven by parents. Parents who wanted something more for their kids. Parents who believed that their children could do great things! Those parents, from 50 years ago, are NO different than our parents today. They want more and believe in their kids abilities. The difference is, that 50 years later, they have 122 passionate and dedicated people, 12 committed board members and tens of thousands of alumni cheering them on and allowing us to do more than they could have ever dreamed! From a school for 19 children with Down Syndrome to an organization that has served more than 50,000 children in its rich history, Brighton Center is a significant part of the history of this community. And we are significant in the lives of every one of those 50,000 children we have helped become the BEST versions of themselves. I am incredibly proud to be a part of that history and the stellar reputation that Brighton Center has in this city. And that’s because of YOU. Whether you have been here 30 days or 30 years, you are a part of Brighton Center’s legacy. And now, more than ever before, we have an incredibly talented group of dedicated staff members who can help set the bar and the foundation for the next 50 years! While most of us will likely not be here in 50 years to celebrate Brighton Center’s 100th anniversary, please know that you will be a significant part of that celebration as well. I challenge you all to continue to work to leave a legacy in the work you are doing with Brighton Center today so the next 50 years are something that even WE couldn’t dream of. Thank you for making Brighton Center such a wonderful, welcoming place for all who enter our doors!
Kim Jefferies, CEO
We know at all of our staff at Brighton are busy so we want everyone to get the most out of our All Staff Days. Please take a moment to provide Feedback on how you thought today's All Staff Day was and provide suggestions for what we can do different next year!
Hover your phone's camera over the QR code below and you will be taken to our All Staff Day Survey online. It only takes a couple of minutes to fill out!
FEEDBACK WANTED!
Schedule of Events 7:45am: Breakfast 8:15am: Welcome & Opening Activity 8:30am: Parent Testimonial Rebecca McMains 8:45am: Breakout Sessions 8:45am - 9:35am: Breakout #1 9:45am - 10:35am: Breakout #2 10:45am - 11:35am: Breakout #3
11:45am: Lunch Break Cheesy Janes Food Truck featuring all your 50's favorites: Burgers (veggie too!), Chicken Sandwiches, Tots & Sodas
1:00pm: Culture Council Video & Small Group Breakout Sessions 2:15pm: Awards 3:00pm: Sock Hop 4:30pm: See You Later Daddy-O's!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BURNING RUBBER
ROOM 101 GROUP A START HERE
Presented by Kim Jefferies (CEO) & Larry Fischer (CFO)
Join Kim and Larry for an update on how "Brighton's New Pad" this coming year with the completion of the Higgins expansion plans and the start up of Brighton's new onsite therapy programs and after school & summer tutoring!
DRIVEN BY YOU
ROOM 105 GROUP B START HERE
Presented by Katrina Campbell (Chief Development Officer) & Michele Sierra (Director of Administration)
This session is all bout the driving force behind Brighton and that is YOU! Come for a fun and diverse breakoutsession where we will go over a lot of different things that all center around Brighton's most important asset - YOU!
YOU DIG?
ROOM 106 GROUP C START HERE
Presented by Holly Grogan (Chief Programs Officer), Julie Yocham (Director of ECI) & Alix Martinez (Director of ECE)
Back in the 50's, people used to use "You Dig?" to ensure that they were on the same page. This presentation will ensure that all of Brighton understand the vital roles they all play in the organization and how to communicate effectively. After this breakout session you will have a keen understanding and respect for what each Brighton program has to offer and the importance of working together across programs for the benefit of the children and families that we serve!
WORD FROM THE BIRD
Presented by Members of Brighton's Culture Council First, learn more about what the Culture Council has been up to through a short video. Then you will be split into groups to be a part of helping Brighton Center define what our Core Values mean to us today. Culture Council Representatives will walk you through a process to help us redefine our 4 Core Values through affirmative, commitment statements. The information gained from each group will be refined by the Culture Council and presented to staff after completion. GROUP 1: ROOM 101 | GROUP 2: ROOM 105 | GROUP 3: ROOM106 | GROUP 4: ROOM 100
2019 ALL STAFF DAY
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
REBECCA MCMAINS Brighton Center had the pleasure of serving Olivia McMains when she was very young in our Early Childhood Intervention program. Not long after, her parents thought she would benefit from Brighton’s inclusive early childhood setting and enrolled her at our Lullwood campus. And as Olivia transitioned to public school, her parents once again reached out to Brighton for advocacy help. Olivia’s mom can’t say enough about how Brighton Center has made a difference in her life. She once wrote a letter to Brighton saying, “as a mom, I have been gifted a community where I can be confident and happy about my child’s care on every front. With your help, Olivia has grown from being a cute, but silent bump on a mat to being an on-the-move instigator with strong opinions. How can I ever sum up our thanks, appreciation, respect, joy, awe and wonder at what you all are and what you have done for us?” We can’t wait for you to hear first hand how Brighton Center has impacted the McMains family!
2019 ALL STAFF DAY
BREAKOUT SESSION
BURNING RUBBER Presented by Kim Jefferies (CEO) & Larry Fischer (CFO)
Join Kim and Larry for an update on how Brighton is "Burning Rubber" this coming year with the completion of the Higgins expansion plans and the start up of Brighton's new onsite therapy programs and after school & summer tutoring!
SESSION
NOTES & QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Kim Jefferies has been at Brighton since
Larry Fischer has been the CFO for
200 and the CEO since 2006. Kim has a
Brighton since 2018 and has a rich
BE from UTSA as well as a Masters in
background in finance. He holds a BS
Non-profit Mgmt. from OLLU. Kim has 2
in Accounting and MBA from University
daughters: Kayleigh is a senior at
of West Florida. He is a retired Navy
University of Oaklahoma and Kameron is
Pilot. Larry just celebrated his 50th
a Senior at Boerne Champion H.S. Her
wedding anniversary to Jan and
husband Cory is an executive at SWBC.
together they have 2 daughters Kim & Ashley and 4 grandchildren.
2019 ALL STAFF DAY
BREAKOUT SESSION
YOU'RE A COOL CAT!
Presented by Katrina Campbell (Chief Development Officer) & Michele Sierra (Director of Administration) Katrina & Michele's presentation will be all about YOU. Brighton is DRIVEN by our amazing staff and in this breakout session we will cover what makes our staff special, the impact they have on families, how they can stay engaged this year and how they can tell the world about how their services are changing lives! After this session there will be no doubt you will leave knowing that you are ONE COOL CAT!
SESSION
NOTES & QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Katrina Campbell has been with
Michele Sierra has been with Brighton
Brighton since 2011 and leads the
since 2010 and leads the organization's
organization's fundraising and
HR and Facilities Departments. Michele
marketing efforts. She has a BS in
has a BA in Business from UTSA and
Biology from TLU, has a Certificate in
holds a Masters in Human Resources fro
Non-Profit Mgmt from OLLU, and is a
Keller Graduate School of Management,
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
as well as has a PHR Certification.
She is married to Brian and they have
Michele is married to Cris and they have
two children Ryder (8) and Kasynn (5).
two children Alix (15) and Bella (11).
2019 ALL STAFF DAY
BREAKOUT SESSION
YOU DIG?
Presented by Holly Grogan (Chief Programs Officer), Julie Yocham (Director of ECI) & Alix Martinez (Director of ECE) Back in the 50's, people used to use "You Dig?" to ensure that they were on the same page. This presentation will ensure that all of Brighton understand the vital roles they all play in the organization and how to communicate effectively. After this breakout session you will have a keen understanding and respect for what each Brighton program has to offer and the importance of working together across programs for the benefit of the children and families that we serve!
SESSION
NOTES & QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Alix Martinez has been with Brighton
Holly Grogan has been with Brighton
since April, 2019 but has been working
since 1999 and has served in a
with young children since 2004. She
leadership capacity since 2004. Holly
holds a B.A.A.S. in Early Childhood
has a B.A. from Southwest Texas State
Studies and is currently pursuing a
with a degree in Child and Family
Masters in Special Education. Alix is
Development and a Masters in Family
married to Daniel and they have one
Studies from Texas Women's University.
son Theo (3).
Holly is married to Ryan and they have two children, Reed (15) and Ellie (12).
2019 ALL STAFF DAY
BREAKOUT SESSION
WORD FROM THE BIRD Presented by Members of the Culture Council
First, learn more about what the Culture Council has been up to through a short video. Then you will be split into groups to be a part of helping Brighton Center define what our Core Values mean to us today. Culture Council Representatives will walk you through a process to help us redefine our 4 Core Values through affirmative, commitment statements. The information gained from each group will be refined by the Culture Council and presented to staff after completion.
SESSION
NOTES & QUESTIONS
CONGRATULATIONS
ROCKSTAR WINNERS CENTER BASED STAFF WINNER SARAH POLLOCK, LEAD TEACHER Sarah started as an intern with Brighton in 2016 and then was hired on as an Early Intervention Specialist where she worked for a little over 2 years. Sarah then transitioned to a Lead Teacher position for Brighton's Preschool Program and now leads the Pre-K2 class at the Lullwood Location. Sarah is known for her patience and her ability to stay calm in stressful situations and is always willing to do what it takes to make sure each kid she works with is getting the best early education possible! Congrats Sarah!
COMMUNITY BASED STAFF WINNERS ALEX MARTINEZ, ADVOCATE Alex has been with Brighton since 2018. He came here from Austin where he was working as a special education teacher at a charter school. He wanted to be able to help families more through the special education process and have the most impact as possible. That is when he joined Brighton's Special Education Advocate Team! Alex is known for keeping his office lively with his constant drumming skills and his dedication to teaching parents all about special education laws so that that they understand them and can be advocates for their own child! Congrats Alex!
KAYKAY BOSSALER, EIS KK is an Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) and has been at Brighton since 2008. Her background is in education before starting with Brighton. She works with ECI Team 1 that serves the Judson ISD, Schertz/Cibolo ISD and some of Northeast ISD. KK is known for her sweet spririt,her strong work ethic and her willingness to always go the extra mile to help any of the families she works with! Congrats KK!
VANESSA LAMBERT, EIS Vanessa is an Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) and has been at Brighton since 2000, almost 20 years! Vanessa works with ECI Team 2 serving the Northeast ISD area. Vanessa is known for being super organized and for how she uses her"Macgyver" like skills to take anything in a child's home and adapt it in such a way that it can be used to help the child with their development. She rarely misses a deadline and is always ready to serve her families! Congrats Vanessa!
SUPPORT STAFF WINNER BRIANA TERRAZAS Briana is an Administrative Assistant/Front Office Receptionist who has been with Brighton since 2018. She is responsible for answering the phones to take referral information, ordering supplies, supports the HR team and does a variety of other administratieve tasks. Briana is known for how she always greets families and staff with a warm hello and knows every child at the Higgins location by name. You can often find her even carrying a sleeping kiddo off of the bus back into their classroom! Congrats Briana!
Check it off the List! Want to make the most out of today? Then check off all these items on this list and receive a fun 50's themed prize and 5 extra raffle tickets. Checklist must be completed by 12:45pm be elligbile for prizes.
Thank you for being a part of Brighton's All Staff Day!!