For more information on the Reflections Program, pleases visit the Texas PTA Reflections page.

Step 6: Wrap It Up

Step 4: Organize Artwork for Judging

Visit our 2022-2023 Reflections Gallery to see examples of entries that were awarded by Texas PTA in past years. And see last year's State and National results.

Step 5: Celebrate and Recognize Your Participants

  • 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 and provide the Reflections Reviewer's Packet to each judge. Judges will review artwork and judging information provided on the student's entry form.
  • Collect judges scores and rank entries; Complete the advancing spreadsheetto 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 1: Getting Started

  • 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. 
  • Announce your Call for Entries.
  • Distribute the Student Entry Form, Rules and Instructions provided by Texas PTA:
  • Create your own promotions:

       Arts in Education Tools​

The arts—and the National PTA Reflections® program—welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. 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.

  • 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. 
  • 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.



Step 2: Organize and Plan Your Program

Step 3: Reflections®

PTA Reflections® Program

  • 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 in PTAvenue.
  • 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. 
  • Announce awards to the whole school community.
  • Promote your event and celebrate students in local media using this media advisory and press release.
  • Present the Certificate of Recognition and other awards available at the Texas PTA Store.
  • Use the Local PTA Advancing Spreadsheetform to advance up to 20% (or at least one entry) from each grade division and arts category.