Reflections

CONGRATULATIONS to our past REFLECTIONS WINNERs!

2006-2007 Congratulations to Vincent Tantra of Mohr Elementary who was recognized with an Award of Excellence from the California State PTA in May of 2007. The theme was "My Favorite Place" and Vincent's video is titled "Home"

2005-2006 Many congratulations to Megan Tien of Mohr Elementary School, who received an Award of Merit at the State PTA Convention. Megan participated in the PTA Art Recognition Program, Reflections, and her work was called A Different Kind of Hero. Click here for the press release.

PROGRAM THEMES:

2007 - 2008 "I can make a difference by ..."

The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.

The Reflections Program was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson. Since that time, more than 10 million students have participated in the program. The program's longevity and participation figures attest to its strength. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools and communities is unmatched.

Participation and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program's goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a "contest" format, winning should not be the emphasis.

Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.

Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art. The six arts areas are as follows:

• Literature
• Musical composition
• Photography
• Visual arts
• Dance Choreography
• Film/Video Production

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by school grade. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The four grade divisions are as follows:

• Primary Preschool Grade 2 or up to age 7
• Intermediate Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10
• Middle/Junior Grades 6-8 or ages 11-13
• Senior Grades 9-12 or ages 14+

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local unit, council, PTA district, state and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local unit level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. Once entries reach the level of the California State PTA, entries may be selected for submission to the National PTA. Award of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and are displayed as part of the program's traveling exhibit.

Participation in the California Reflections program is open to all students in attendance at PTA/PTSA schools where the program is sponsored. Entries are forwarded through channels. Each unit, council and PTA district establishes their own deadline dates, allowing adequate time for displaying and judging of entries. PTA units should acquire deadline dates from their council and PTA district. Only PTA districts may submit entries to the California State PTA.

Please remember that:

• Students may submit entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing.
• All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the annual Reflections Program theme.
• Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as for those with visual or physical disabilities)
• Participation encourages creativity and exploration. Students should do their best, but crooked lines, incorrect musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone.

FUTURE REFLECTIONS PROGRAM THEME

The National PTA is looking for a theme for its next Reflections Program. A student's suggestions for the theme ideas may be sent to the California State PTA by the individual student or by a local PTA/PTSA. The theme may include a wide variety of subjects that will appeal to students in preschool through grade 12. The winning student will receive $100 and recognition at the National PTA Convention held in June. See www.capta.org for more information.

RESPONSIBILITY

• Familiarize yourself with the materials on the California State PTA Web site at www.capta.org, the National PTA Web site at www.pta.org and the Reflections Packet sent to presidents in the summer service mailing.
• Develop a Reflections Program planning calendar using council and PTA district deadlines; identify key steps to meet your calendar deadlines. (Note that this program runs early in the school year for local units, therefore you may have to work around athletic events when planning your calendar.)
• Submit a Reflections Program budget to the budget committee for approval.
• Explain the Reflections Program to the principal and school staff; encourage their support and participation. Inform parents and community members. Share information about the Reflections Program at a PTA/PTSA meeting, share examples of last year's entries and have current entry forms and rules for distribution.
• Publicize the Reflections Program, theme and deadline dates in your school or PTA/PTSA newsletter. The local newspaper or cable TV station could also be contacted for publicity.
• Select impartial, qualified judges. Inform judges of the criteria to be used in evaluating/judging Reflections Program entries. (Refer to the rules for each art category.) Remember to accept the judges' selections of winning entries. IMPORTANT: Do not show student information (name, address, etc.) on entries displayed for judging.
• Follow guidelines from council and PTA district regarding the number of entries which may be submitted. Adhere to council and PTA district deadlines!
• Make certain each entry meets all judging criteria with regard to size, mounting, etc.
• Be sure the Official Entry Form (Forms Section) is completely filled out, signed by both student and parent, and attached securely to each entry, according to the National PTA rules.
• Complete and send Participation Form A (Forms Section) with entries according to National PTA rules.
• Keep a copy of all Official Entry Forms and Participation Form A.
• After the program, give each participant a certificate of participation.
• Return entries to students whose work was not selected for the next level of judging.
• Update the Reflections Program procedure book.
• Announce the new Reflections Program theme as soon as it is available. The theme is announced at the annual California State PTA convention.
• Publicize any awards given to local students at other levels of judging.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES

• Hold a Reflections Program workshop or a Family Arts Night on Saturday, after school or at lunch for students to work on their projects and provide supplies.
• Enlist support of local businesses for supplies, awards and to display Reflections Program entries.
• Ask stores in your area to print student art work on their bags.
• Inquire with local businesses that print calendars about possible use of student art work.
• Plan a local traveling art show.
• Print a Reflections Program Awards booklet listing the program participants as well as the award recipients. Acknowledge those who supported the program including parents, staff and community members.
• Display local entries in school (e.g., hallways, display case, library), at PTA functions, in local community buildings (e.g., libraries, museums, banks, hospitals, nursing homes)
• Publish student entries in a special Reflections Program booklet or calendar and award it to Reflections Program participants, give as a gift or as a thank you to judges, teachers and volunteers.
• Tape musical compositions, dance choreography, and film/video production entries and play them at PTA functions and school events. Give a copy to a local radio station/cable television station to play.
• Organize a special program/reception/assembly where Reflections Program photography and visual arts entries can be displayed, musical composition entries can be performed and literature entries can be read aloud, and dance choreography and film/video production entries can be played.
• Make all Reflections Program entrants feel special. Consider awarding students with certificates, ribbons, medallions, buttons, plaques, trophies, art supplies, film, music supplies, gift certificates, books, bookmarks, symphony tickets, or other items that encourage future participation in the arts. Send congratulatory letters to students.

FINDING JUDGES

• Art, literature, dance, film, journalism, and music educators or college/university professors
• Teachers from other schools participating in the Reflections Program
• Art museum directors, docents, curators, or historians
• Professional photographers and local artisans
• Local symphony orchestra or choral directors, musicians, conductors, or composers
• Local dance conservatories, dance studios, ballets, or theaters
• Local multimedia/video production companies
• Newspaper journalists, editors, or photographers
• Local television stations
• Arts advocacy organization presidents or directors