Reflections

WHAT IS REFLECTIONS AND HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

 

National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

 

With positive recognition as the focus of this program, rather than competition, students of all ages and abilities can experience the benefits of creative expression and help in finding their own voice in telling their unique story.

 

Last year over 20 students from Pink Elementary School participated. This year, we hope for more! Students are welcomed to participate in more than one category. Please read  below for more detailed information on submission and rules. 

 

REFLECTION REMINDERS:

  • Must be an active PTA member to enter.
  • Entries are due on October 25th.
  • Entry forms can be found in the link below, “Student Reflections Entry Form” or you can obtain a hard copy from the main office.
  • Students may submit more than one reflection piece, however it must be in different categories. 
  • Submit visual arts, painting and literature pieces in the main office on October 25th. Look for a box labeled, “Reflections 2024.” Read below for specific submission guidelines. 
  • Submit music, dance and film by USB in a labeled envelope. Read below for specific submission guidelines. 
  • Judging will be taking place on November 7.
  • Entries advancing to the district level will be submitted on November 20th.
  • All participants and those that advanced to district will be announced in the December 6th GMP.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Jyoti Modak at CulturalArts@Pinkpta.org. 

 

Texas PTA Reflections Page

Participation Rules and Entry Forms

Student Reflections Entry Form

Official Participating Rules in Each Category

 

Entry Requirements: Each entry must be the original work of the participating student. Help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division (see Special Artist guidelines below). Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. 

 

CATEGORIES:

 

Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite on entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Flash drive inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrants must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, director, editor and producer. If a student chooses to appear in film, a tripod and remote may be used. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Flash drive  inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector. 

 

Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, drama, reflective essay, narrative and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted format: Single-sided on 8 ½x11” paper. Packaging: 1 copy of literature inside folder with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WAV. Printed Notation: Required for middle and high school divisions -score, tablature or written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how your music was created (100 words or less). Packaging: Flash drive inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector. 

 

Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrants must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited; however, photographs may include public places, well-known products, trademarks or certain other copyrighted material as long as that copyrighted material is incidental to the subject matter of the piece and/or is a smaller element of a whole. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. Packaging: attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. 

 

Visual Arts: Accepted forms of visual art include: 2D original print, drawing, painting, collage (cut and pasted materials such as clippings and photos), metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork. Frames and artwork containing loose materials are not accepted. Matting is accepted. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Paper entries should be mounted on sturdy material.*Printed: attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. Cover front of artwork with butcher (or like) paper, securing it along one edge to the back of artwork without covering formand draping over front.Do not wrap in plastic or laminate entry.Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. *Note these guidelines are specific to Texas PTA. While other states are incorporating additional 3D art mediums, Texas PTA has made the decision to only accept 2D Visual Arts entries.

 

Special Artist Division: Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. The Special Artist Division welcomes all grades and all abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special Artist Division. Please read the Reflections Special Arts Division Rules for more information.