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Because LISD has such wonderful Music & Art Teachers, as well as Librarians, this is often the only activity that takes place within LISD elementary and middle schools. High schools do participate in some of the other activities that are for them only.

What is "Reflections"?  “Reflections” is the student’s yearly opportunity to express themselves through various forms of art, for the fun of it, and for recognition.  When they enter they win ribbons and recognition at their school and have a chance to advance to Council, Area, State and even the National level.

Reflections Awards Ceremony FAQs

			Theme & Categories

Themes:

2007-2008
"I Can Make a Difference By..."

2008-2009
"WOW"

Categories:

• Literature

• Musical Composition

• Photography

• Visual Arts

• Dance Choreography

• Film/Video Production

			Supplies Needed

• Your PTA in good standing
• Helpers
• Your Imagination
• Masking Tape
• Scotch Tape
• Manila Envelopes, 9" x 12" or 10" x 13"
• File Folders, standard size
• Clear Page Protectors, 8 1/2" x 11" top load
• Marker, pen and pencil
• All required forms
• Art Portfolio, large enough for largest entry

  • It is strongly recommended that you purchase a good water-resistant portfolio that has handles. The "Folded Nylon Portfolios" are not very pricey and acceptable, provided you place something like poster board in it to help protect the entries from banging around. These portfolios should last for years and they fold for easy storage. Unfortunately, they are difficult to mark with school information so get a light colored one that you can use a permanent marker on. One possible web source for portfolios is www.dickblick.com.

			Helpful Links

2007-2008 Reflections Forms and Downloads (To access these you will need your username and password.  It is located on the bottom of last years PTA Membership Card.)

• Requirements Checklist (.pdf)
• Official Entry Form - English (.pdf)
• Specific Rules for Each Arts Area (.doc) (revised 9/4/07)
• General Student Rules (.pdf)
• Local, Council, Area PTA FAQ's (.pdf)
• 2007-2008 Participation Forms (.pdf):
• Judging Form - (doc) or (pdf)

Unofficial Quick List of Requirements
2007 State and National Reflections Results
Steps to Getting Started
Frequently Asked Questions (64k)
Preguntas frecuentes (FAQ in Spanish) (52k)
National Awards and Recognition Process (51k)
Reflections Entry Form 2007-2008 (85k)
Reflections Participation Form 2007-2008 (83k)
Reflections Rules 2007-2008 (158k)
Programa Reflections de National PTA 2006–2007 (109k)
Reflections Student Rules 2007-2008 (54k)
Reglas Generales De Participación Para Los Estudiantes 2006–2007 (43k)
Theme Search Form 2009-2010 (48k)
Reflections Flyer for Pre-5th (120k)
Reflections Flyer for Pre-5th - Spanish (122k)
Reflections Flyer for 6th—12th (73k)
Reflections Flyer for 6th—12th - Spanish (73k)
Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program (105k)

			Promotion Tools & Information

Forms:  All forms can be found under "Helpful Links" above, however, for a MSWord copy of the ‘Official Entry Form’ I have made one and you can retrieve it here. Be sure to fill out your school specific information at the bottom of the form before distributing. This has some minor differences from National.  For one it instructs the students to fill out the form in ink (very important for coping and we require this at Council) the other is that it is hopefully easier to fill out electronically.

>> Please MAKE SURE FORMS ARE SIGNED in ink BY STUDENT and PARENT. <<

Here is a little help with your Reflections Entry Form:

• 8 digit PTA #:

  This is the National PTA Unit ID # (Found on your PTA Membership Card) plus leading zeros to make it eight digits.  i.e. if your National PTA Unit ID # is 45678 then enter 00045678 on the form.
   

• Membership dues date paid, Insurance paid date, & Bylaws approval date:

  If your PTA has not yet paid their membership dues or insurance please put the date that they will be paid. Good standing status is achieved by having paid your dues.  So by showing when you paid, or when you will pay, you are saying "Yes, we are good!". This information needs to be completed otherwise if State sees blanks it is possible that the entry will be disqualified. There is no time for your Council Chairman to locate this information so please ensure that it is completed before you send them on. If an entry is chosen to go to the National level they will check to ensure that your bylaws are on file and that your insurance and dues have been paid.  The Treasurer should have the dues and insurance dates and the bylaws date should be on the bylaws (May be stamped in the upper right hand corner with the date they were approved).  Again, if they don’t have that date they should be able to get it from the TX PTA office and this link, should get them started.

Posters: Here are some examples of posters you can make and display. And here are some examples you can make to show kids how best to prepare their entries (Recommend you make poster that makes it clear that art should not be signed.)

Handouts:  Here is a handout you can edit and use. Others are available here (To access some of the information on this site you will need your username and password. It is located on the bottom of last years PTA Membership Card.) Another helpful form is the  unofficial quick list of requirements.

School Publications:  Here are two articles you can edit and have published in your school news letters. 'Be on the Lookout' and 'Are You Done Yet?'

School Announcements or PSA's: Here are some generic audio tracks you may have played during school announcements. Also, included is a transcript of the announcements.  For the fun of it have the kids making the announcements act out the transcript as the audio plays.  At the end of the audio you will need to have them state the theme, due date, and where to get the forms.

Displays:  If you receive work early then see if the school will let you display it in a secure display cabinet. This will help to encourage others to enter. Wouldn't hurt to display entries any time they are not out being judged. This will encourage others to enter the following year.

(Music Stands work great for displaying art during PTA meetings)

Here are some examples of displays. (1) (2)

Logos: Click thumbnails for larger images
                           
                Large  (8.79 KB)         Small  (3.48 KB)             (3.59 KB)

			Receiving

Choose a single day for turning in the creations and stick to it

Bring:

• Masking Tape

• Scotch Tape

• tape measure or yard stick

• extra manila envelopes

• extra file folders

• extra plastic sheet protectors

Check forms: Make sure forms have all necessary information on them. It is a good idea to have an example on hand.

Make sure requirements are met for Entry: The requirements for each category of entry are included with the entry forms (see Helpful Links). However, here is an unofficial quick list of requirements.

Make sure no names are showing on front of art.

For entries where the top is in question ask the student which way is up and mark it on the back.

When receiving it is a good idea to have a tape measure and even some masking tape to mark on a table or the floor the maximum dimensions of the photography and visual arts entries.

Take pictures and/or make copies of entries. Also, make copies of entry forms. That way if it gets lost you have a great way of describing the entry. It is also a great way to display entries that were sent on to the next level.

			Judging

Arrange for judges early. Judges are not allowed to know the students but just in case fold or cover the entry forms so that the judges can not see names.

Use businesses that are participants in art such as art galleries, dance studios, and theaters. Also, let your local library help with judging.

For Visual Art and Photography you can use the attached “Reflections CARDS” Just edit as you see fit and attach to the entries back at the top and fold it over the front so that the judges can see the age category (the color coding is more for the next level), title, artist statement, and Entry ID #.  The Entry ID # is for your use only and will be covered or replaced if entry advances to Council Level.

You may want to have the judges use this “Reflections Judging Form” (doc) or (pdf) for judging and use the tally in determining award levels.
Here is an alternative judging form that will allow for a greater range of scores and therefore more fluctuation between entry scores. (doc)

Make sure judges know the judging criteria. 

Be sure to give the judges something to show your appreciation.

Additional information is on the “Judging Techniques” (doc) or (pdf) form located on the TX PTA web site.
 

			Awards

Categories:  These are the 2007-2008 mandated categories and who qualifies for them (They are simpler then last years and the constant changing of categories is why I do not recommend buying more ribbons then you need for the current year):

1. AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:
   Top 20%  - The ones that advance to the next level.
    

2. AWARD OF MERIT:
   The next 20% to 30%.
    

3. HONORABLE MENTION:
   The next 20% to 30%.
    

4. PARTICIPATION:
   Literally everyone else.

Displays:  Displaying the art with the ribbons is as much an award for the kids as the actual ribbon and certificate.

Ribbons:  These can be costly so budget appropriately and do not order more then you need because you never know when the award categories will be changed. Also, order as soon as you can. Here are some ribbon ideas.

Certificates:  Here are some you can alter and use if you like.

Ribbons and Certificates available on the Texas PTA web site at http://www.txpta.org/catalog/index.html under "Leader Resources" / " **Reflections, awards & Thank You's".

			Awards Ceremony FAQs

			Who Advances to Council?

Up to 20% of all entries received may advance to Council however; every school may submit at least 6 entries no matter how few entries were received.  This 20% is not necessarily 20% of each category. You may divide by category or age group as desired.  Also, if 20% is a fraction you may round up.  But please just advance the best not just a set quantity. With over 60 PTA’s in our Council not advancing large quantities of entries, just because you can advance 20%, would be very much appreciated.

			Council Entry Requirements

• Must have paid your schools PTA dues.

• Entries need to be in a portfolio with handles and that has the schools name and address on it.  Especially with the potential of inclement weather, stuff needs to be under cover.

• Entries must be covered (paper or plastic) to prevent scratches and mess on the students' work.

• Work does not need to be 'dotted' as it had been in the past.

• Entries must comply with requirements of their category.

• Entries must be submitted in an art portfolio that has the schools name and address on it.

• The “Local PTA Participation Form” must be filled out (only the first page) and submitted with the entries or you may use this Word version to type in the information.

• Packing List (Excel Spreadsheet) must be filled out and submitted as both an electronic copy placed on CD (or emailed to the receiving chairman) and as a printout.

• Copies of all the entry forms for work being submitted

• We will adhere to all entry rules. If a student's work does not follow them, we will have to return it to you.

			Reflections Theme Search

This is a chance for the kids to win $100. Simply down load and fill out your schools specific PTA information and distribute to the students.  However, if you do not want to be the one collecting the forms and sending them on to the address on the form then revise the form some so that the students know that they have to mail the form in themselves.

• The official form and more information is located here.     
   

• An unofficial form that makes it clear to the kids that they are not to return the form to you or your school is located here.