1. Reflections!! Jill Burley, Virginia PTA Arts in Education Chair
Leadership Training and Annual Conference, July 2017

2. Reflections Overview Introduction – Nationwide PTA Program
Successful Reflections Program
Rules and Regulations
Special Artist
Additional Information

3. Theme:
“Within Reach”

4. What is reflections?
Reflections is a cultural arts program of the National PTA that encourages students in Virginia PTA Preschool through Grade 12 to express their thoughts, feelings, and creativity through the arts.

5. Virginia Reflections program
6 Art Categories
Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Film Production
4 Age Divisions
Primary: Pre K - Grade 2
Intermediate: Grades 3-5
Junior/Middle: Grades 6-8
Senior High: Grades 9-12

6. 7 Steps to a Successful program
Plan & Recruit
Market
Collect & Log
Judge
Prepare and Send Works to the Next Level
Recognize
Wrap Up

7. 1. Plan & Recruit Check Your PTA is in Good Standing
Establish a Timeline
Dues paid by June 30th
Kick off date
Bylaws up to date as of December 1, 2017
Students’ submission deadline – for Reflections Entries and Theme Search (Date TBA)
Judging locations & dates
Form a Committee
Deadline for judging results
To share the responsibilities
School exhibit date
Don’t forget your principal and teachers!
Awards event
Date for press release
Deadline for next level of judging
Deadline for thank you notes

8. 2. market Students and Parents
Host a school-wide assembly to introduce the program. Feature examples of artwork from last year’s winners at the local, state and national levels.
Include messages in students’ morning announcements.
Hang posters and flyers and send copies of flyers home to parents. Sample flyers can be found on arts in education/reflections webpage.
Post announcements and updates on the school and/or PTA website and via social media.

9. 2. Market, continued Teachers and Administrators
Provide suggestions for how this year’s theme might be linked to curriculum. Ask teachers to incorporate it into their lesson plans, if possible.
Ask the school to hold a school-wide assembly or host a special lunch for participants and winners.

10. 2. Market, Continued Community
Invite community members to serve as judges.
Local businesses might be willing to support fundraisers for Reflections

11. 3. Collect & Log
Keep a list of all participants to account for all entries
Fill in Local Unit Participation Form
Check Student Entry Forms and ensure they are kept with the entry
Ensure you label the students’ works in some manner
Separate into art areas and age categories for judging
Store entries in a safe place and in a safe way

12. 4. Judge The judging process has two goals:
To determine which student entries will advance to the next round of judging. Your winning entries will go to your council or District. One entry per grade division, per category.
To award other prizes and recognition as determined by your Local Reflections Committee.

13. 4. Judge, Continued Select judges: Based on expertise
From local colleges, art institutes, museums, libraries, dance studios, media centers, retired teachers, or teachers from other schools

14. 4. Judge, Continued
All PTA Reflections Program entries should be judged on artistic merit, creativity, mastery of the medium and interpretation of the theme.
Judges should receive the title and artist statement with each entry and the rules specific to their arts category.

15. 4. Judge, Continued Prepare the judges:
Provide copies of the students’ rules
PTA judging criteria (rubric)
Judges’ comment pages
Arrange judging times & places
Clearly give deadlines
Tell how you want winners identified – No ties

16. 4. Judge, Continued

17. 5. Prepare and Send Works to the Next Level
Check Student Entry Forms.
Check art works meet the requirements for size, length of play, etc.
Make sure works that you send on are identified with a student entry form.
Fill out the Local Unit PTA information on the form.

18. Next Level Information
Council
District
Check on VAPTA website tab for Council District Deadlines

19. 6. Recognize Display remaining entries Give awards to all participants
Have children perform and parents talk about program
Use certificates, ribbons, trophies, prizes, etc.
Give receptions, parties, shows, special PTA event
Involve business partners
Involve local merchants

20. 7. Wrap up Return all entries to participants
Deliver all awards to participants
Check with next level to track progress of your students
Thank your judges
Evaluate your program
Leave a plan for next year’s committee

21. Dance Rules
Video must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1GB (one gigabyte) in file size.
Accepted file formats include: AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, WMV, FLV and F4V.
Cite background music (if any) on the student entry form.
Label CD/DVD/flash drive with title of artwork, arts category, and division.

22. Film/Video Rules
Video must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1GB (one gigabyte) in file size.
Accepted file formats include: AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, WMV, FLV and F4V.
Use of background music must be cited on the student entry form.
Label CD/DVD/flash drive with title of artwork, arts category and division.

23. Literature Rules Entry must not exceed 2,000 words.
Hand written & typed entries are accepted on 8.5x11 paper (one sided only).
Number each page.
Include student name, entry title, arts category and division on back of entry.

24. Music Rules
Audio recording must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1GB (one gigabyte) in file size.
Accepted audio file formats include: MP3, MP4, WMA, WAV, ACC (M4A) and FLAC.
Label CD/DVD/flash drive with title of artwork, arts category and division.

25. Photography Rules
Print must not exceed 11x14 inches, including matting.
Print must be mounted on sturdy material such as cardboard or poster board.
Framed photos are not accepted.

26. Visual Arts Rules
Artwork must not exceed 24x30 inches, including matting.
Paper entries must be mounted on sturdy material such as cardboard. (framed artwork not accepted)
Label back of entry with student name, title of artwork, arts category and division.

27. Visual Arts 3D Expansion
In addition to 2D forms, 3D forms are now accepted as entries into the visual arts category (ex: pottery, jewelry, carpentry, mobiles, sculptures)
NOTE: Only photos of the 3D artwork are submitted to the next level for judging. The actual 3D piece should NOT be sent to your Council or District.

28. Special Artist
Students with disabilities can participate in the Reflections program in one of two ways:
Option 1: Special Artist Division- a division specifically for students whose physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges meet guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Option 2: Enter in traditional divisions- students can submit their entries in the grade division most closely aligned with their cognitive or functional abilities

29. Additional Information
Theme Search Contest
Local Unit PTAs may submit up to 5 entries to Arts in Education by December 4, 2017 at 1027 Wilmer Ave., Richmond, VA,
The winner is announced in January and receives $100 and recognition at the National PTA Convention
Local PTA Arts Enhancement Grants
Apply for the National PTA Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant for your school to support arts enhancement programs- applications available at pta.org/awards.

30. Questions?

31. Virginia PTA Arts in Education Chair
Thank you!!
Virginia PTA Arts in Education Chair