Western Region PTA®

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 is open to children from preschool through the 12th grade. 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,paintbrush clipart teachers and the community.

The Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program complements the National program by awarding a number of matching grants up to $1000 to local PTAs for student-centered programs focused on arts education. Local PTAs must submit complete applications and match this grant dollar for dollar with PTA or other donated funds and/or in-kind resources. For more information about the grant and application, click here.

Each year a new theme is selected and students are asked to interpret that theme in their work in the art areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts. Click here for information regarding the National PTA Reflections Program Theme Search.

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 step is to establish a committee to study and 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 establishes the rules for this program. NYS PTA prepares a packet which is sent to every president in the August unit and council mailing. NYS PTA also offers a workshop at their Summer Leadership Conference and region PTAs may offer workshops on "how-to's". New York Parent Teacher and Our Children magazines periodically contain helpful articles. Contact your region PTA Reflections chair to enlist support and obtain further 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 received by the president, or downloaded from the website. Contact the Region PTA if it is not possible for you to download a copy.

The 2010-2011 Reflections Packet will be posted here when available. For the convenience of your committee, we will have the Reflections Packet available in its entirety and in sections for an easy download.

Downloads:

Reflections Flyer

Reflections Drop Off Info for Western Region

Reflections Logo (Sends you to the National PTA Page with logo guidelines and logo download)

Entry Form and Rules (Sends you to the National PTA Page)

Talk to the principal and art, dance, English and music 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. You may duplicate any of the Reflections promotional materials that will be found on the National PTA Reflections website; distribute these materials 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. Another round of judging is done at the state level to determine the artworks that will represent the NYSPTA at the National PTA level. Obviously, at each level, the deadlines must be met. Winning entries at the NYS PTA level are displayed at the NYS PTA Annual Convention the following November.

Plan a budget and decide how to encourage student participation. At one school, the Arts In Education chair visited each classroom (with consent of the teachers and principal) to explain the program to the students and to hand out a flier 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 winning entries shipped to the region PTA. Organize the collection, judging, award ceremony for local winners and the distribution of artwork so that nothing is lost and each participant feels valued and respected. A certificate of participation to each student is a nice touch.

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 chair or director. Follow all Reflection Program rules. Don’t risk disappointing children because adults didn’t do their homework.