Reflections is a program of National PTA whose purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Begun in 1969, this cultural arts program in open to children in grades preschool - 12. The arts are an important part of every child’s education. And, just as important, the Reflections Program is a fun project that can involve students, parents, teachers, and the community.

Each year a new theme is selected and students are asked to interpret that theme in their work in the art areas of literature, visual arts,photography, musical composition, dance choreography and film/video production..

Reflections is a specific program that involves juried works progressing through the levels of PTA until National PTA winners are adjudged. This does not mean, however, that a PTA cultural arts committee cannot pursue other activities to involve families in the arts and to show the value of the arts.

Beginning

It is easy to begin a Reflections program. The first thing to do is to establish a committee to study to determine the level of interest in this type of project. The committee could be comprised of interested PTA members, teachers, the school principal, a school board member, a local artist or musician; the committee is established by the PTA executive board.

National PTA publishes a rules packet which is sent to every president each spring. NYS PTA offers a workshop at Summer Experience and region PTAs may offer workshops on "how tos". New York Parent Teacher and Our Children magazines periodically contain helpful articles. Contact the Region PTA Arts In Education/Reflections chairman. Consult National PTA’s Annual Resources for PTAs. Enisting support will be easy if everyone has access to information.

If the committee recommends initiating a Reflections program, a report should be made to the executive board and the program affirmed by vote. A Reflections program has specific rules which must be adhered to.

The next step

A Reflections committee is created and a chairman appointed. At the first meeting, everyone on the committee should be given copies of the Reflections packet that was sent to the president. Contact the Region PTA if a copy is not available. A DVD is also available from your Region PTA Chairman.

Talk to the principal and art, music, dance and English teachers to determine whether Reflections projects can be created at school or at home. Distribute information to parents, teachers, and students about the program and advertise the theme. A video is available from National PTA that can be shown at a PTA meeting. Invite a Region PTA representative to a PTA meeting to discuss the program. Write an article for the newsletter. Duplicate the Reflections brochure contained in the National PTA Annual Resources for PTAs book and distribute it throughout the school.

Know the timeline

Reflections rules include a deadline for the juried works from local PTAs to be submitted to their region PTA, where the entries are judged and the winners sent on to NYS PTA where another round of judging is done to determine the artworks that will represent the State PTA at the National PTA level. Obviously, at each level, the deadlines must be met. Winning entries at the NYS level are displayed at the NYS PTA Convention the following November.

Plan a budget and decide how to encourage student participation. At one school, the Arts In Education chairman visited each classroom (with consent of the teachers and principal) to explain the program to the students and to hand out a flyer explaining when afternoon "arts activity stations" would be available for students who had questions. These stations were manned by members of the committee who understood the program and its rules and who shared hints with the students about how they could start their project.

Respect the work of all students

A Reflections program may generate hundreds of entries. Impartial, confidential judging must be arranged. Works may need to be transported and the winners shipped to the Region PTA. Organize the collection, judging, award ceremony for local winners, and redistribution of artwork so that nothing is lost and each participant feels valued and respected. One unit offered a certificate of participation to every entry.

Ensure success

A unit embarking on a Reflections program must be in good standing in order to participate. Keep in touch with the president to ensure that your unit is indeed in good standing. Direct any questions to the Region PTA Reflections Chairman or Director. Follow all Reflection Program rules. Don’t risk disappointing children because adults didn’t do their homework. Please find a list of the current year's winner by clicking here.

                                           Condensed Version of Rules: click here.