Reflections
Annually, thousands of students will reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.
Training for Reflections Coordinators
Local Level Reflections Training - Basics for the School Level (45-minute video)
Step 1: Getting Started
- Confirm that your local PTA has attained Active Status with Texas PTA and is eligible to participate on your campus. You will also need to verify that your local PTA has attained Good Standing with Texas PTA in order to be eligible to participate at the state and national levels. You may need to ask your PTA President for assistance in verifying this information.
- Register with Texas PTA as your PTA's Reflections Chair
- Make sure the Reflections program is included in your PTA's program budget for the school year.
- Network with your fellow PTA Reflections leaders and connect with your council representative on Facebook - join the CCCC Reflections Group.
Step 2: Organize and Plan Your Program
- Utilize the PTA Leader Checklist to organize tasks and schedule deadlines.
- Build your PTA Arts Committee with a Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet to help recruit volunteers with specific skills/interests.
- Recruit creative professionals to review student works. Engage school personnel and community members for additional support.
- Establish a timeline for your program and meet council entry deadline.
Step 3: Reflections®
- Share announcements widely using PTA, school and community communication channels. Be sure to include a deadline and drop off location, as well as, submission instructions.
- Introduce Reflections® to school and community partners.
- Distribute the Student Entry Form, Rules and Instructions provided by Texas PTA:
- Create your own promotions: Arts in Education Tools
Step 4: Organize Artwork for Judging
- First, check-in entries and review artwork. Qualify submissions according to program rules and address student ineligibility, as needed. Organize entries by Arts Category and Grade Division, then assign them to a judge. Use the Local Guidelines to assist you.
- Prepare submissions for Judges' review. Before you begin, read through the Local-level Judging Guidelines and prepare your Scorecards. Discuss the Judging Rubric with your judges so they are aware that the highest judging criterion is the interpretation of the theme.
- Collect judges scores and rank entries; Complete the advancing spreadsheet to prepare for the next level of judging.
- Assign awards to all qualifying entries. Award levels may include: Award of Excellence; Award of Merit; Honorable Mention; Participant.
Step 5: Celebrate and Recognize Your Participants
- Announce awards to the whole school community.
- Promote your event and celebrate students.
- A free downloadable Reflections Certificate is available to print and customize on your own!
- Themed ribbons and certificates may be purchased through Shop PTA.
- As an alternative or an addition to traditional awards, you could also purchase themed t-shirts for your participating students, volunteers and/or judges to thank them for supporting PTA and the Reflections program!
- Use the Local PTA Advancing Spreadsheet form to advance up to 20% (or at least one entry) from each grade division and arts category.
Step 6: Wrap It Up
- Be sure to thank school staff, community partners, judges, and volunteers using this Thank-you Letter for Volunteers and evaluate your program to consider future improvements.
- Return non-advancing submissions to students.