Greetings from the 12th District PTA Reflections Program Webpage providing you with all the information you will need to run your best Reflections Program yet.

My name is Betty Roark and I’m the 12th District Reflections Chairman.

Feel free to contact me at betty4kids@aol.com or clicking on the email thumbnail at the bottom of this page. You may also contact me via my telephone number listed in the 12th District PTA Directory. 

This years 2008-2009 Reflection Theme is:

Wow.....

What is the Reflections Program?

The National Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.

The Reflections Program was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson. Since that time, more than 10 million students have participated in the program. The program's longevity and participation figures attest to its strength. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools and communities is unmatched.

Participation and appreciation of the arts is the Reflections Program's goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a "contest" format, winning should not be the emphasis.

Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms.

Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.

Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on state and local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art. The four arts areas are as follows:

.   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. The four grade divisions are as follows:

   Primary - Preschool to Grade 2 or up to age 7

   Intermediate - Grades 3 to 5 or ages 8 to 10

   Middle/Junior - Grades 6 to 7 or ages 11 to 13

   Senior - Grades 9 to 12 or ages 14+

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local unit, council, PTA district, state and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local unit level, whereselected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level depending on each state PTA structure. Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select entries to submit to the National PTA. Award of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and are displayed as part of the program's traveling exhibit.

Participation in the California Reflections program is open to all students in attendance at PTA/PTSA schools where program is sponsored. Entries are forwarded through channels. Each unit, council and PTA district establishes their own deadline dates, allowing adequate time for displaying and judgeing of entries. PTA units should acquire deadline dates from their council and PTA district. Only PTA districts may submit entries to the California State PTA.

Click here to see a list of last year; honorees!