REFLECTIONS CHAIR TRAINING SLIDE DECK

ABOUT REFLECTIONS

• The National PTA Reflections Program was created in 1969 and since then more than 10 million students have participated.

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• PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home.

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• PTA Reflections welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts.

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• PTA Reflections levels the playing field for students of all abilities

PROPOSE THE PROGRAM �TO YOUR SCHOOL

• Create a Budget

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• Communicate with Principal regarding the Reflections program

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• Encourage teacher involvement by working the theme into classroom curriculum (i.e. social studies discussion, literature, art)

REGISTER YOUR UNIT

REGISTRATION IS OPTIONAL

BUT ENCOURAGED

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REGISTER YOUR PTA UNIT AT

PTA.ORG/REFLECTIONS

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SCROLL DOWN TO THE LINK:

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CHOOSE DUE DATES

Student Due Date (local units)

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Council Due Date

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State Due Date

JANUARY 15

** Plan for 2-3 weeks before each due date for judging of each group

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ORGANIZE AND PLAN

RECRUIT A COMMITTEE & VOLUNTEERS

SHARE VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS

RECRUIT COMMUNITY ARTS PROFESSIONALS (AS VOLUNTEERS AND/OR REVIEWERS)

READ LOCAL LEADERS GUIDE AND REFLECTIONS CHAIR HANDBOOK.

READ THE RULES AGAIN!

The Reflections Chair Handbook for the state of Arkansas is available at arkansaspta.org/reflections. This handbook contains information specifically for the state.

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The Local Leader’s Guide from National PTA is also available on the website and contains additional information for your Reflections Program.

PROMOTE REFLECTIONS

Promotional materials including posters and graphics are available at pta.org/reflections

or arkansaspta.org/reflections

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Many resources are available in English and Spanish

FORMS AND RESOURCES

All of the Reflections materials -

• Printable and Online Student Entry Forms
• Category rules
• Promotion graphics
• Local Leaders Guide
• Reflections Chairs Handbook

can be found on the Arkansas State PTA Reflections page!

arkansaspta.org/reflections

ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM

• KNOW THE RULES!

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• General Participation, Specific Art Category and Special Artist Division RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED!

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• Entries must be made through a PTA unit in Good Standing – confirm with unit President or Treasurer.

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• Student entry forms must be filled out completely, have a title and require an artist statement!

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• Students may submit entries in more than one art category- one entry per category

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• Artwork MUST BE ORIGINAL and created for the purpose of this program and this year’s theme

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• Only one student may create the work and be recognized as the award recipient, but other students may appear in the artwork itself

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• Submissions must be created with the theme in mind. Students should use the ARTIST STATEMENT to express how this was done.

CATEGORIES AND GRADE DIVISIONS

Determine which GRADE divisions apply to your school

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SPECIAL ARTIST may be any grade – and are all judged as if at same grade level

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The student’s parent should make the determination of whether or not the child should enter in the SPECIAL ARTIST category.

Each student may enter one or all categories – only one entry per category

�ORGANIZE ARTWORK FOR REVIEWING�

1. Collect artwork and entry forms. Printed entry forms are required at the local level and are used to complete the online submissions.

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• Check artwork & entry forms for qualification.

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• Check that entries have a title and artist’s statement. These are required!

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• Prepare digital files that are required for state level judging. See category rules for details.

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• Local units may choose their own method of selecting entries to advance to the next level

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State Level Review Method

• BLIND JUDGING will be used
• Criteria for state entry reviewers:
• Interpretation of Theme (40 points max)
• Creativity (30 points max)
• Technique (30 points max)
• State reviewers will focus on
• A well-developed concept rather than technique
• How the student uses artistic vision to portray theme
• State reviewers often refer to the artist’s statement to assist in scoring

Entries submitted to Arkansas State PTA will be reviewed per this method

PREPARING ENTRIES FOR STATE LEVEL JUDGING

• All entries to Arkansas State Reflections will be done online – this will require photos of some artwork. Each category has specific rules regarding types of files that will be accepted.

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• For each local school PTA unit, there is a limit of 10 entries per category, per age division that may advance to the State level.

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• Local units must use the Online Student Entry Form link at arkansaspta.org/Reflections. The Student Entry Portal found on the National website is not valid for entries to Arkansas PTA Reflections.

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• Actual Visual Arts entries must be kept on hand at the local units until judging is completed at the state level and winners announced. Units will be notified when artwork can be returned to students.

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COMMON REASONS FOR INELIGIBILITY

• Local PTA is not in good standing with Arkansas State PTA
• Plagiarism / Resubmission of past Reflections entry
• Submission prepared by more than one student
• Submission prepared by someone other than student
• Submission entered in wrong category
• Submission entered in wrong division

INELIGIBLE

Arkansas State Reflections Awards

• First Place (Award of Excellence)
• The very best entries
• Fulfills all 3 criteria
• Advances to National judging level.
• Second Place (Award of Merit )
• Third Place
• Honorable Mention

CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE ALL PARTICIPANTS

• Create a thorough check-in list with accurate spelling of names. (Double check names!)

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• Plan a Reflections event. (There is a Reflections Celebration Guide online to help assist.)

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• Share event with media and all families at your school, not just participants.

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• Present Certificate of Participation and other awards—available at the PTA Store (ShopPTA.com).

Be sure to recognize

ALL STUDENTS

for their efforts and creativity!

Theme Search

Opens on September 1^st and closes on October 31^st each year for Arkansas PTA entries.

The Theme Search Entry Packet can be found at arkansaspta.org/Reflections

One national winner is selected by the National PTA in February.

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The winning student will also receive a $100 award and national recognition.

DON’T FORGET TO WRAP UP

• Make sure to thank student and parent leaders, school personnel, submission reviewers and community businesses for their support

• Return non-advancing works and contact students who are advancing in the competition

• Host a debrief with your volunteers committee

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• Record notes and contacts for next year’s Reflections Chair

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National PTA Awards and Exhibits

Student Arts Showcase and Exhibit�January�

National Winners Announcement�May 1 �PTA.org/Reflections��Celebration Event and Exhibit�Annual National PTA Convention

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All first place winners on the Arkansas state level of Reflections are forwarded to National PTA competition.

Thank you for participating in this Reflections training presentation. We hope that you will be inspired to start a program at your school or continue to build your program!

Contact information:

Arkansas State PTA Chair

Email: reflectionart.arpta@gmail.com