The 2009-2010 theme for Reflections
is "Beauty is ... "
About Reflections:
The National PTA 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 a pre-selected theme, while increasing
community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.
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. Students may enter more than one work of art. Students will
receive one token gift and one participation certificate regardless of
how many entries they submit. The six 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 Grade 2 or up to age
7
-
Intermediate Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10
-
Middle/Junior Grades 6-8 or ages 11-13
-
Senior Grades 9-12 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, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each
subsequent level. Once entries reach the level of the California State
PTA, entries may be selected for submission 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.
Please remember that:
-
All entries submitted must be original
works and must relate to the annual Reflections Program theme. Entries
must be new works that are produced specifically for this
competition and 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.
Interpretation of theme is the most important element.
How to Participate:
Every student at Cactus Ranch is
invited to participate. Please follow these steps for a successful
entry:
1. Choose a category to
participate in: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Musical
Composition, Photography or Visual Arts.
2. Review
the rules and guidelines
associated with your selected category. Pay special attention to any
size or material specifications or limitations.
3. Produce
your original art, without assistance, according to the
guidelines and write an artist’s statement about how your
art piece relates to the theme: “Beauty Is…”
4. Submit your artwork with a complete
and accurate entry form by the due date of Monday, NOVEMBER 2,
2009. Students are encouraged to submit their entries as soon
as they complete them.
Entries will be selected for regional
competition between November 2 and November 13. Entries will be blind
judged by three independent experts in the associated field. Entries
will be rated as follows: 50% of the score will come from artist’s
interpretation of the theme, 25% of the score will come from measures of
creativity, and the final 25% of the score will come from artistic
merit. All participants will receive a token participation gift in
addition to a certificate or ribbon. The top 20% of entries received at
Cactus Ranch will advance to Regional Competition. The top 20% of
entries at Regional will advance to State and the top 20% at State will
advance to the National Competition. To view the State level winners
from last year’s competition, please go to: http://www.txpta.org/programs/reflections/.
Please DO NOT use the forms located at the state site to enter this
year’s competition. The forms at the Cactus Ranch Elementary
PTA Website are specific to our school. Thank you.
Please contact Su San Cournoyer at
512.535.3478 or SuSan@cournet.com
if you have any questions.
Good luck and have fun finding beauty
for this year’s Reflections Program!
Click here
to view and print the Student
Entry Form.
Click on the following
links to view the general and specific category rules:
General
Rules
Dance
Choreography Rules
Literature
Rules
Musical
Composition Rules
Visual
Arts Rules
Film
Production Rules
Photography
Rules