Fourth District Unit Level Reflections Workshop

Agenda

Mina Carson

Fourth District Reflections Chair 24-25

reflections@fourthdistrictpta.org

1. What is Reflections
2. How to run a program
3. Online Entry Form
4. Resources
5. A few details
6. Questions

What is Reflections

A little about Reflections

• The National PTA Reflections Program was created in 1969 and more than 10 MILLION Students have participated.

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• The PTA-sponsored Reflections Art Program inspires students of all grades and abilities to express themselves imaginatively in artwork, and to tap into critical-thinking skills to create art inspired by a theme.

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• Reflections provides positive recognition for students, showcases their original works of art, and increases community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.

The 2024-2025 Theme is:

An annual theme is determined by the National PTA Reflections Theme Search Contest.

This years theme was selected 2 years ago.

Students may enter their theme ideas on the California State PTA Reflections website starting on September 1st and the poll closes on November 1st.

The State PTA Reflections committee submits 5 themes to represent California at the National PTA Reflections theme selection.

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Six Art Categories

Five Grade Divisions

New

Name

Note

• Students are allowed to enter in more than one art category.

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• It is up to each unit if a student may enter more than once in

any given category. PTA is in favor of this, unless not practical at your unit.

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KNOW THE GUIDELINES

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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 and more than one entry in a single art category - but this is upto the school

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

Only ONE STUDENT may create the work and be recognized as the award recipient, but other students may appear in the artwork itself

GENERAL PARTICIPATION, SPECIFIC ARTS CATEGORY AND ACCESSIBLE ARTS DIVISION GUIDELINES MUST BE FOLLOWED!

Students should use ARTIST STATEMENT to express how their submission relates to the theme.

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Clarified & Updated Guidelines

Materials were updated to provide consistent and clearer guidance around the use of technology and copyright materials in entries:

• Use of Copyright Materials: Guidelines were clarified to explain that, while permitted in certain categories, copyrighted material in an entry must be incidental and/or is a smaller element of a whole and used to create a completely new and different work of art.
• Use of Technology: Guidelines were clarified to emphasize that digital technology may not provide the primary design and/or concept for an entry and to indicate that entrants must provide a brief description how they used the technology/software, including any generative elements (e.g., algorithmic techniques, artificial intelligence).

Clarified & Updated Guidelines

The category-specific guidelines and student entry packet/form reflect these changes. In addition, the category-specific guidelines also reflect language adjustments, especially the following:

• Visual Arts: Category-specific guidelines now specify "digital art and graphics (drawings/paintings/ illustration)," rather than "computer-generated images.“
• Literature: Category-specific guidelines now specify dictation is permissible based on the student being able, rather than their age.

How to Run a Program

5 Steps to Run a Reflections Program

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1. Get Started
2. Promote Reflections
3. Review Submissions
4. Celebrate and Recognize Participants
5. Wrap Up

1. Get Started

• Register on National PTA website
• 8 digit National PTA unit number
• Local Leader’s Guide
• Work with your President on:
• Budget
• Insurance and Bylaws dates
• Date membership dues passed on to Council
• Get your 8 digit National PTA Unit number and 4 digit CA Unit Number
• Make sure you are listed on myptez.com
• Find/Buy portfolio for advancing artwork.
• Plan Celebration
• Set your Due Date (about 2 weeks before advancing entries are due to Council)
• Find Reviewers (Judges)*
• Online Entry Form vs Paper Entry Form*

*more on that later

2019 or more recent!

2. Promote Reflections

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• School Newsletter
• Social Media
• Flyers
• Posters
• School Announcements
• Email
• Teachers!
• Host an art night
• Run lunchtime art activities (color bookmarks)

ShopPTA.com

3. Review Submissions

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• Make sure entries are in the correct category and division, are signed, and have an artist statement!
• Reviewers receive artwork, Reviewers Packet, category rules.
• Reviewers do not have to be professionals, but they need to have an understanding of the art category.
• Not ideal to have teachers at your site be Reviewers.
• Reviewers are secret and their scores are final!
• See Local Leader Guide for Reviewers Packet and Rubric

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Interpretation 40 points

Creativity 30 points

Technical Skill 30 points

Award Levels

1. Award of Excellence (only one given in each category and division)
2. Award of Merit (can be more than one in each category and division)
3. Honorable Mention (can be more than one in each category and division)
4. Participant (can be more than one in each category and division)

Only the Award of Excellence recipients advance to the next level of the program:

Levels of Reflections:

Unit (school PTA)

Council (all the units in an area)

District (Fourth District, which is all the Councils in Orange County and some of LA County.

Not to be confused with School District)

State (California, CAPTA)

National

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4. Celebrate & Recognize Participants

• Recognize all participants
• Certificates
• Ribbons, trophies, medallions - shoppta.com or other stores
• Cello bag with art supplies and candy
• Assembly, PTA Meeting, Gallery Night, Announcements, School Display

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5. Wrap Up

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• Pass Advancing Entries and Unit Participation Form on to Council
• Return Non-Advancing Artwork to Students
• Thank You Note to Reviewers (No Gift Cards)
• Create Notes for Next Chair (procedure book)
• Communicate with Families About Their Advancing �Entries

Brain Break

Social Media Idea

Online Entry Form

Online Entry Form

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• Can Choose Online or Paper
• If Choosing Paper Form, Upload Advancing Entries Only
• Online Form Still Needs Original Artwork to be Turned In For Visual Art and Photography (Literature Optional at site level)

Create your online entry form here.

• Sign in to the correct google account
• Click on “Make a Copy”
• Replace "Template" with your Unit Name
• Click on "Restore" the missing file folders. This will allow you to collect the art entries for every category.
• Powerpoint to Virtual Form Setup 2024
• 2023 Understanding the Reflections Virtual Form Video
• 2023 Virtual Judging Steps (optional)

Click here for entry form!

Resources

Important Websites

CAPTA.org/reflections

Leaders Website!!!

View Past Winners

Logos & Materials

General Rules

Category Rules

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National PTA Reflections

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Register

View Past Winners

Logos & General Rules

Logos and Materials

Local Leaders Guide

Fillable Entry Form

Call for Entries

CAPTA Reflections Trainings via Zoom

CAPTA Reflections Convention Presentations

Get Your Program Started

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Advanced Reflections

Details

COMMON REASONS FOR

INELIGIBILITY

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Six Art Categories

• How the movement reflects the theme.
• Not the same as dance performance.
• Movements must be created by student.
• Choreographer may or may not be the performer.
• Any form of dance is welcome.

Six Art Categories

• Student creates storyline, directs actors and camera person, decides on any editing.
• Student can be an actor in the film.
• All types of film are encouraged.

Six Art Categories

• Most forms of literature is welcome.
• Pictures do not count.
• Must be printed or able to be printed on 8.5 x 11
• Can be handwritten or typed
• Can be in other languages, but must be translated

Six Art Categories

• Not the same as music performance.
• Any form of music is welcome.
• Audio recording not video recording
• High School & Middle School must have a score or Musically Technical Explanation

Six Art Categories

• Student must take the photo!
• No words or graphics added after taking photo
• Should be mounted but no frames
• Collages vs Montages

Six Art Categories

• All forms of visual arts are encouraged
• Pieces that don’t qualify as photography or literature may be considered for visual art
• Submit photos of 3D art

Questions

Mina Carson

reflections@fourthdistrictpta.org

Name one of the 6 Art Categories.

What grades are included in the

Accessible Arts Category?

All Grades!

Where can you find the

Reflections Logos?

• Google Folder list in this presentation.
• CAPTA.org
• PTA.org

If you use an online entry form

you still need to collect which

physical artworks?

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• Visual Art
• Photography
• Literature is Optional

Which entries advance to the next level?

The Award of Excellence entries!

JUDGING

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REVIEWING ENTRIES

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