Reflections - Get Your Program Started!

California State PTA Reflections Committee

REFLECTIONS Most Frequently Asked Questions

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ABOUT REFLECTIONS

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•THE NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM WAS created IN 1969 AND MORE THAN 10 MILLION STUDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED.

•PTA REFLECTIONS IS A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE ARTISTIC CREATIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM AND AT HOME.

•PTA REFLECTIONS WELCOMES ALL GRADES AND ABILITIES TO EXPLORE AND BE INVOLVED IN THE ARTS

REFLECTIONS PROMISE

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To help all students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas,

develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and

find a love for learning that will help them become

more successful in school and in life.

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REFLECTIONS THEME

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

This years theme was selected 2 years ago.

The 2024-2025 Reflections theme is

Accepting Imperfection…

submitted by Paige Opaska from Barbara Bush Middle School PTA in Texas.

Students may enter their theme ideas on the California State PTA Reflections website from

September 1 through November 1.

The State PTA Reflections committee submits 5 themes to represent

California at the National PTA Reflections theme selection.

REFLECTIONS CATEGORIES

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.

REFLECTIONS DIVISIONS

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• Determine which grade divisions your school can host
• Only students who attend your school site may participate
• For example, an Elementary School PTA cannot host the High School Grade Division
• Elementary schools TK-6 can host Middle School Divisions & Accessible Artist

NEW DIVISION TITLE

Moving forward, the Special Artist division will be referred to as the Accessible Arts division. This change is in response to concern around the term “special," based on feedback gathered from participants, volunteers and partner non-profit organizations and recognizes the importance of evolving how we talk about disability to align with and be more inclusive of people with disabilities.

NEW DIVISION TITLE

The Accessible Arts division invites students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to enter in the Accessible Arts Division or grade division most closely aligned to their support needs.

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The division offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.). Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Accessible Arts Division. See Official Rules for details.

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HARD WAY? OR EASY WAY?

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IGNITE YOUR PROGRAM

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PROPOSE THE PROGRAM TO

YOUR SCHOOL

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SUGGESTED DUE DATES

• State Due Date JANUARY 10, 2025 (FIXED)
• District Due Date DECEMBER 1^ST (SUGGESTED)
• Council Due Date NOVEMBER 1^ST (SUGGESTED)
• Unit Due Date OCTOBER 15^TH (SUGGESTED)

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** Plan for 2-3 weeks before due dates for reviewing of each group to send to Council/District

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PROMOTE REFLECTIONS

ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM

LOOK CLOSELY!

PHOTOGRAPHY

ANY CATEGORY

FILM PRODUCTION

ANY CATEGORY

MUSIC COMPOSITION

Middle and High Divisions Vs Other Divisions

Reflective Statement

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A Reflective Statement would address questions such as the following:

LITERATURE

VISUAL ARTS

VISUAL ARTS OR PHOTOGRAPHY?

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY AND FILM PRODUCTION

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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JUDGING

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REVIEWING ENTRIES

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COMMON REASONS FOR

INELIGIBILITY

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CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE ALL PARTICIPANTS

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AWARDS

HOW MANY AWARDS MAY BE GIVEN OUT?

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PREPARING ENTRIES FOR THE NEXT LEVEL - SCHOOLS

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WRAP UP AND EVALUATE

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THEME SEARCH

Opens on September 1^st and closes

on November 1^st, 2024 - CAPTA

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WHO YA GONNA CONTACT?

First – your local school reflections chair or school PTA president

When all else fails, then contact

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA REFLECTIONS CHAIR

ReflectionsProgramCommittee@capta.org

Get the 2024-2025 Form Now →

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