About PTA Reflections

In 1969, Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson developed the first Reflections program to encourage students to explore their talents and express themselves by giving them positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Since then, over 10 million students across the nation have taken part in this popular PTA program.

The Reflections Program provides an excellent opportunity for students of all ages to:

• Unleash their creative talents
• Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
• Experience the joy and fun of making art
• Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme

Participating in the PTA Reflections Program

Participation in the Colorado Reflections Program is open to all students attending PTA schools that sponsor the program.

6 Arts Areas

To participate, students create and submit an original work of art, inspired by the annual theme, to their Local PTA Reflections Program in any of following arts areas:

• Literature
• Musical Composition
• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Photography
• Visual Arts

4 Age Divisions

To allow student artworks to be recognized and judged at the appropriate developmental age and skill levels, the Reflections Program is divided into the following school grades

• Primary (preschool-grade 2)
• Intermediate (grades 3-5)
• Middle/ Junior (grades 6-8)
• Senior (grades 9-12)

New Special Artist Division for 2012 – 2013

This year a new division of the Reflections program was introduced – the Special Artist Division. This is a non-graded division limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines in the American Disabilities Act.

Qualifying students create their own artwork. But, they may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult.

Students who qualify for the Special Artist Division may choose to enter in the traditional four grade divisions. If this is the case, students will follow all general and arts category rules, but may submit an entry in the grade division most closely aligned to their cognitive or functional abilities. The student is then recognized and awarded as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges.

Recognition

Student Reflections’ entries at a school are first recognized, judged and celebrated by the local PTA unit.

Some selected unit entries are then chosen to represent the PTA at the Council and Regional PTA levels.

Student artwork submitted to Colorado PTA from either of the Council or Regional PTA will be considered for a “Gold” or “Silver” Award at the State Level.

Colorado PTA Reflections Awards

At the state level, up to 75 students will be recognized with a Colorado PTA “Gold” or “Silver” award and will receive an opportunity to showcase their artwork at the state Reflections Ceremony. Their artwork will also be on display at the Colorado PTA Convention. In addition, the 25 “Gold” award entries will represent Colorado PTA at the National level of the Reflections Program.

Student recipients of the National PTA Award of Excellence and Award of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and their artwork is featured as part of the program’s traveling, national exhibit.

For more information, contact your local or council PTA.