Q: Why should my child enter Reflections?

A: It’s a great learning experience.

Participating in the Reflections Program is an opportunity for students to explore and learn about various art forms. It doesn’t matter whether an entry is created in the classroom or independently at home, as long as the concept is the student’s idea. Artistic exploration and expression enhance and develop intellectual, social, and physical skills.  Creating art is a valuable learning process. When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, photography, and other art forms, they grow intellectually. They learn to analyze their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. The Reflections Program also helps parents encourage and recognize the continuous self-discovery process of their children.

"Children need the arts to develop their creative talents and discover their abilities in personal and cultural expression. These skills lead to improvements in children's self-esteem, self-image and social skills. I encourage all PTAs and PTSAs to participate in this great program. "

Laura Bay, Washington State PTA President

Q: Why is it called a “PROGRAM”? Is it a Contest? Or a class?

A: Essentially, REFLECTIONS is an ART CONTEST but….

Its name is likely the most misunderstood part. The Nationally PTA-sponsored Reflections Program has a 30-year history of encouraging millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art to enter in its annual contest. The “program” comes out of the opportunities students have to express themselves and receive positive recognition for their artistic effort at local, council, state and national levels as their artwork is displayed, evaluated, and recognized.

Q: What Awards does my child have a chance to win?

Entries are first judged at the local level and awards given in each category.  Selected works are judged, awarded, and chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. Not all award-winners will move on to the next level.

Art Celebration and Awards:

Before Thanksgiving, all visual art, literature, and photography entries will be displayed in the halls of Carl Sandburg for judging and to celebrate Reflections Art. My hope is to display musical, film and choreography entries so that students can hear/see them during lunch. For fun, students will get to vote on their favorite entry for “Student Choice Awards!”

Q: How are entries judged?

A panel of official judges in each art category will evaluate entries on a scale of 1-5 in the following areas; originality, design composition, effective media use, and most importantly, expression & interpretation of the theme. Entries will be “blind” judged without names. Only the portion of entry forms showing title, artist statement, and grade division will be viewed. The first week of December, a Reflections Reception will be held to recognize all students artwork and to announce award winners and finalists. All students, teachers, and parents are invited to attend and view Sandburg/DCS Reflections art entries on display. Specific date to be announced.

Of the award winners, Carl Sandburg will forward on 25 finalists, to include a maximum of 15 Visual Art entries, to the Lake Washington PTA Council level on December 15^th. The Council will hold a reception on January 16^th, 2009 from 6-9pm to display all Council entries and present awards in each category. Council finalists will move on to the Washington State PTA for further evaluation.

Washington State PTA Awards and Recognition

Washington State PTA will present certificates of participation for all entries received at the state level. It will also present the following awards in each arts category, for each grade division:

·         one Outstanding Interpretation Award (highest award)

·         one to five Awards of Excellence (mid-level award)

·         one Award of Merit (for a total number of awards not to exceed seven)

Only the Outstanding Interpretation Award entry for each category/division  (24 total entries) will be forwarded to the National PTA Reflections Program to be evaluated for the National PTA Reflection Awards (top honors). The Washington State PTA Reflections Chair will notify students by mail who receive a state Reflections award inviting them to the WSPTA Reflections Award ceremony. Each award recipient will receive a certificate, medallion and ribbon.

Please see attached .pdf for awards at the National PTA Reflections level.