Email the coordinator, Helen Garcia here.

To learn more about this year’s competition, check out the information below.

Background
Reflections is an arts program hosted annually by national PTA. Each year has it’s own theme. For example, in 2003 students submitted art with the theme “I Feel Happy When…”.

National PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for run and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage). Additionally, Washington State PTA has 2 non-traditional categories: film/video and choreography/dance. In its more than 30-year history the program has encouraged million of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art.

The program is designed to enhance rather than replace a quality arts education. It provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Parents, teachers, and community members all play a critical role in fostering a positive learning environment for children. Supporting the Reflections Program is one way adults can help maintain that environment.

Grade Divisions

• Primary (preschool–grade 2)


• Intermediate (grades 3–5)


• Middle/Junior (grades 6–8)


• Senior (grades 9–12)

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local, council, district, state, and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level—council, district, or state—depending on each state PTA’s structure. Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select entries to submit to National PTA. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA Convention and displayed in a virtual gallery on National PTA’s website.

Judging Levels

• Local (Thoreau)
• District (Lake Washington School District)
• Council (Local PTA Council)
• State (Washington State)
• National (Finals in Washington D.C.)

Rules
Please remember that:

• ART MUST BE THE IDEAS AND CREATIONS OF THE CHILD ENTERING THE PIECE
  
• 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; however, crooked lines, incorrect musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone.
  

A word to parents
As with any student activity, parent involvement and support are very important. But parents must remember that student artists need to be responsible for their own work. Children must make their own decisions about what to create and what to enter in the Reflections Program. By producing their own literature, musical compositions, photography and visual art, children not only learn about the arts; more importantly, they learn about themselves. Supporting the Reflections Program is one way that you can support the arts in your home, school, and community.

Links

National PTA Reflections	Complete information on the national program
WA State PTA Reflections	Download the rules packet, entry forms and look up additional details for Washington State. Also includes the current and previous year’s winner lists and galleries.
Reflectations Flyer	View and print the flyer sent home with students.