1. MCCPTA REFLECTIONS TRAINING FALL 2015
Let Your Imagination Fly

2. MCCPTA REFLECTIONS CHAIR
Chris McDermott
Phone:

3. WHAT IS REFLECTIONS?
Since the Reflections Program was started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents
Each year, the Reflections Program challenges students to create art that relates to a specific theme.
Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to PTA’s Reflections Program Theme Search. Past themes include “The World Would Be A Better Place If…”, A Different Kind of Hero”, “Beauty Is…”, “The Magic of a Moment…”, and “Believe, Dream, Inspire...”.

4. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Categories Divisions
Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six areas in their division:
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Dance Choreography
Film Production
Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Categories
Divisions
Primary: Grades preK-2
Intermediate: Grades 3-5
Middle/Junior: Grades 6-8
Senior: Grades 9-12
Special Artist – non-graded

5. THE 2015-2016 REFLECTION THEME IS
“Let Your Imagination Fly”

6. JOIN THE MCCPTA REFLECTIONS YAHOO LISTSERVE
All communication and notices are via and the Yahoo listserv – please join today!
Local Reflections Chairperson and PTA President are asked to join the MCCPTA Reflections listserv:

7. MCCPTA Reflections Training Fall 2009
TO ACCESS THE MCCPTA YAHOO GROUP, MCCPTA, MDPTA and NATIONAL PTA, PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES
(Please join this listserv as it is the primary form of communication for chairs)
(MCCPTA Reflections website)
(Maryland State Reflections website)
(National Reflections website)

8. TO ACCESS REFLECTIONS CHAIR GUIDELINES, STUDENT ENTRY FORM AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, VISIT THESE SITES
You can also find these documents and more at pta.org/statereflectionslibrary

9. IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL REFLECTIONS PROGRAM AT YOUR SCHOOL
Publicity
Judging
Completed Paperwork
PTA Compliance

10. PUBLICITY Let your school’s teachers know about the program
Speak directly to teachers at a staff meeting or speak to students at a school assembly
Leave flyer in mailbox, send via , hang posters at school
Announce in the school’s newsletter, morning announcements, web site, Listserve, etc.
Post the Student Guidelines and official entry form on your school or PTA website

11. Customizable flyer is available for your use at file: http://www. pta

12. INCLUDE CRITICAL PROGRAM DETAILS ON FLIERS AND ELECTRONIC INFO YOU MAKE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS
Deadline for submission at your school
Where to submit (drop off location in the school)
Details for submitting a completed entry form
Date of showcase & reception
Chairperson’s contact information

13. JUDGING
Each local PTA Reflections chairperson is responsible for securing judges for their own school contest. Find judges who work with children and understand their levels of ability.
Judges should not be from your own school and MUST conduct blind judging (judge cannot see the name of the student). If the student’s name in on the front of the artwork, cover with something that can be removed without damaging the artwork.
Judging can be done at your school, or you may take the entries to the judge. Thank your judge with a gift card, school items or a basket of art supplies!
Sample judging rubric available at

14. STUDENT ENTRY FORM AND SUBMISSION MUST HAVES (What to bring to MCCPTA)
The Student Entry Form MUST be completed in its entirety, including all requested dimensions of artwork, copyright information, student and parent signatures, all requested PTA dates and addresses, and and phone number of the chair.
Students should attach typed or handwritten entry form to their art in a manila envelope on the back of the artwork (if music/film/dance, disc should go in the envelope). On the outside of the envelope, write student’s name, school, grade and category.
On Student Entry Form, only write “Maryland” for State and “Montgomery” for Council. Disregard District and Region.
KEEP A COPY OF ALL STUDENT ENTRY FORMS. YOU WILL NEED THEM TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR GALLERY CARDS AND ANY VERIFICATIONS REQUIESTED.

15. Each entry must be accompanied with a disc containing a copy of the entry on the disc. For example, a copy of an entered photograph should be on a disc and the disc should be included in the envelope along with the original photo attached to the manila envelope. Take a picture of a painting and do the same, and scan/copy any literature, film, music, or dance choreography entry. Write the student’s name, school and title of entry on the disc. A disc is mandatory for each entry. Encourage your students to submit the discs with their entries or you as chair must provide the discs when your winning entries are determined.
Title and artist’s statement required on student entry forms. If there is no title, or if there is no artist statement, the entry will be disqualified.
Local unit entries are due to the MCCPTA office on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 (hours to be determined). No exceptions.
All forms, including the original Student Entry Form and the Local PTA submission report, must be completed and included with artwork when brought to MCCPTA by the chair.

16. LOCAL PTA MUST HAVES REGARDING COMPLIANCE
COMPLIANCE DUE DATE CHANGE: Local PTAs must be in good standing with Maryland PTA by December 31, 2015 in order to participate in MCCTPA Reflections. No exceptions. Students from a PTA that is not in compliance with MCCPTA or MDPTA rules by this date will not be able to continue in the competition.
Local chairs should CONFIRM with MDPTA ( or ) and MCCPTA ( ) that your PTA unit meets all requirements before bringing entries to the county for judging. For MDPTA compliance requirements, go to
Entries will be disqualified if your PTA is not in good standing with MDPTA by the 12/31/15 due date. No exceptions.

17. ENTERING YOUR PTA AND YOUR PTA’S WINNING ENTRIES INTO THE NATIONAL SITE
Entering the winning entry information is mandatory for chairs and not difficult. A chair may enter no more than 3 winning entries for each category and division.
Chairs should review the tutorial on the national site on how to enter their PTA and winning entries. Go to

18. AWARDS & RECOGNITION CEREMONIES
Local level – top 3 in each category & division move up to county level
Local award ceremonies and recognition are the responsibility of the local Reflections chairperson.
County level- top 3 in each category & division move up to state level
State level:
Outstanding Interpretation of Theme
Award of Excellence
Award of Merit
National level:

19. LOCAL SCHOOL AWARDS You may choose your own awards and vendors.
Lapel Pins
You may choose your own awards and vendors.
The National PTA Store on the pta.org website offers Reflections awards

20. MCCPTA Reflections Training Fall 2009
SAMPLE CERTIFICATE
This certificate is awarded to
“I Can Make a Difference by...”
Principal, Your School
Your Name, Reflections Chairperson
Student’s name
In recognition of your PTA Reflections literature Entry
Certificate of Excellence
Date

21. SHOWCASE/RECEPTION IDEAS
Hang a Reflections ‘gallery’ in a school hallway near the site of your awards ceremony two weeks before the reception so that students and teachers can view submissions.
Tie ceremony in with a PTA meeting: Reflections Showcase & Reception before your December PTA meeting.
Hold reception/ceremony in the Media Center in the evening. Have each child introduce his or her art piece, and then received certificate & pin.
Have your award ceremony in the morning and include breakfast.

22. MCCPTA REFLECTIONS GALLERY AND CEREMONY
All local Reflections chairpersons are on the MCCPTA Reflections Awards Ceremony committee – thank you in advance for your time, energy and support!
Keep a copy of each Student Entry Form. You will be asked to type up a list of your winners for the identification cards that will accompany the artwork at the gallery. If you don’t have the student entry form and this information, the artwork will not be identified at the gallery/ceremony.
Event details TBD – watch the listserv for details!

23. PRESENTATION OF ARTWORK
Mount artwork on foam core or stiff poster board (but do not exceed maximum dimensions). Photos and paintings presented without some type of backing may be damaged.
Chairs, it is your responsibility to check individual category guidelines to ensure that your students have adhered to specific rules (dimensions of art, length of literature, types of recordings, etc.)

24. PLEASE NOTE! Note compliance due date to County.
Read the Chairperson guide carefully before implementing your local program and understand the category rules.
Note compliance due date to County.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS to any and all of the mandatory requirements as outlined in the Local Chair Guidelines. MCCPTA cannot accept any entries that do not adhere to the requirements.
Contact MCCPTA Reflections Chair Chris McDermott at with any questions!

25. MCCPTA OFFICE Upcounty Regional Services Center
12900 Middlebrook Road, 3rd Floor
Germantown, MD  20874
(301) Voice
(301) Fax
Office Administrator: Pamela Loebach Entries accepted on 12/15/15 only
Time to be determined and announced via the Reflections yahoo listserve.

26. BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, JOIN OUR YAHOO GROUP!
MCCPTA Reflections Training Fall 2009
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, JOIN OUR YAHOO GROUP!
All important announcements and useful information are posted on and sent via the yahoo group – JOIN NOW!
Have fun with your program! The quality of the students’ art will amaze you!