Reflections

2008-2009 Links: • Reflections Forms Packet • Reflections Forms Packet - Spanish • Helpful Hints for Reflections Chairmen 2007-2008 Links: • 4th District Award Winners • Reflections Forms Packet • Anderson Reflections Arts       Enhancement Grant Program • Notes from the Reflections Chairman 2006-2007 Links: • 4th District Award Winners • National PTA Gallery 2005-2006 Links: • 4th District Award Winners • Exhibition and Awards Photo Gallery 2004-2005 Links: •  4th District Award Winners Links to the National PTA website: • What is "Reflections"?

A great learning experience

When children express themselves participating in the Reflections Program is an opportunity for students to explore and learn about various art forms. It does not matter whether an entry created for the Reflections Program has been created as a classroom assignment or independently at home. Artistic exploration and expression enhance and develop intellectual, social, and physical skills. Creating art is a valuable learning process.

 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 National PTA's Reflections their artistic efforts. Parents, teachers, and community members all play a critical role in fostering a positive learning environment for children.

Young artists participate in the Reflections Program through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted.

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.

• 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 the National PTA. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA Convention and are displayed as a part of the program's traveling exhibit.

• Local - this is your school's association or "unit"
• Council - this your unit's council; usually by school district - see our Council/Unit directory
• District - we are the Fourth District PTA (of the California State PTA)
• State - California State PTA
• National

 Fourth District PTA Recognition and Honors

Professionals working individuals in the literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts fields volunteer to judge student entries at the district level. Awards of Excellence, Merit, and Distinction are selected in each grade division for each of the six arts areas.

Awards will be given at an awards reception that will take place at the opening of a show of the works that make it to the Fourth district level, for public viewing, sometime in January.

The Fourth district REFLECTIONS deadline for 2007 is MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007. Councils must deliver their submissions to the Fourth District PTA office by close of the office's business hours on this date to qualify for the program. Unit entries must be submitted via your council.

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.

If you would like to know more about the arts, arts education, and arts advocacy, the National PTA website is a good source of information.

Reflections Program rules and deadlines for each state PTA are different. Contact your Council or District Reflections Chairman if you have questions/comments.

If you have further questions, such as who is your Council Reflections Chair, contact us -