Programs

Reflections

 2012-2013 Reflections Theme

The Magic of a Moment theme was submitted through the Theme Search Contest
by Kate Eldredge of Braun Station Elementary PTA located in San Antonio, Texas.

About Reflections...

Started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson, Reflections has encouraged millions of students to express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts.

Students in preschool through grade 12 may create and submit works of art in six categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor Reflections on their campus.

Students should consult their PTA to confirm they are sponsoring the program and to learn when and where to submit their entries. Students are encouraged to download the guidelines below to begin the creative process.

Reflections Chairs or Coordinators will find valuable resources in the Arts in Education Resource Guide. Promotional and recognition items are also available to help your program run as smoothly as possible.

Please do not download your Reflections documents from the National PTA website. The documents listed below have been customized for Texas PTA and are updated each year for your convenience.  

The Texas PTA Programs Department looks forward to working with you!

Texas PTA Judging Results

Texas students produced Magic for the 2012-2013 Reflections program, The Magic of a Moment. Of the 1054 pieces that advanced to Texas PTA, we are proud to have awarded more than 430 students for their outstanding work! Students were recognized with Honorable Mention, Award of Merit, Award of Excellence, Overall Award of Excellence, and Outstanding Interpretation.

Only 30 entries (one entry per grade division in each category) may be awarded the Overall Award of Excellence and advanced to National PTA to compete in the final round of nationwide judging. We are excited to see these special entries advancing and hope our Texas students shine bright!

We anticipate that the results from National PTA will be available in May. Nationally recognized students will receive communication directly from National PTA, and we will post the information on our website when the results are available.

Summer Leadership Seminar

Looking for a chance to expeirence our Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Award Recipients? Attend Summer Leadership Seminar's Legacy Brunch on Sunday, July 21! Click here for more information.

Outstanding Interpretation

Texas PTA is proud to introduce this new level of student recognition for 2013.  The entries below were selected from all Overall Award of Excellence entries in their respective arts categories, grades Pre-K-12, and represent the the very best of The Magic of a Moment!

Students recognized as an Outstanding Interpretation will be invited to attend Texas PTA's Summer Leadership Seminar to perform and recieve their award among the thousands of PTA leaders from across the state.

Dance Choreography

Sidhya Ganesh, Magic of a Moment in a Butterfly's Life
Primary student from Riddle Elementary PTA, Frisco ISD Council of PTAs

Film Production

Evan Moore, The Magician
Senior student from Stratford High School PTA, Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs

Literature

Ishan Dasgupta, titled Magical Moment
Primary student from Laurel Mountain Elementary PTA, Round Rock ISD Council of PTAs

Musical Composition

Fritz Hager, Magic of the Moment
Middle Junior student from Hubbard Middle School PTA, Tyler ISD Council of PTAs

Photography

Katelyn Smith, What a Good Book Can Do
Middle Junior student from Beck Junior High PTA, Katy Council of PTAs

Visual Arts

Jenny Wey, The Red Balloon
Intermediate student from Beverly Elementary PTA, Plano ISD Council of PTAs

Special Artist

Dustin Ince, The Peaceful Ride
Senior student from Hawley PTA, Abilene Community Council of PTAs

Complete Program Results

All entries receiving an Overall Award of Excellence, Award of Excellence, Award of Merit, or Honorable Mention will be invited to attend our statewide awards ceremony this summer.  Location and details will be communicated via this website and email as soon as information is available.

Overall Award of Excellence Results PDF File
All Overall Award of Excellence entries have been advanced to National PTA for the final round of nationwide judging.

Primary (Pre-K - 2nd) Award Results PDF File
Intermediate (3rd - 5th) Awards Results PDF File
Middle Junior (6th - 8th) Awards Results PDF File
Senior (9th - 12th) Award Results PDF File
Special Artist (Pre-K - 12th) Award Results PDF File

All Results For Entries Judged by Texas PTA PDF File
All entries not awarded will receive participation recognition via mail.

Reflections Exhibit

Artwork from more than 100 students across Texas is currently on display at the Texas Education Agency, the Legislative Budget Board and the Texas Commission on the Arts. The exhibit will be on display until April 30th and is available for public viewing from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Reflections Exhibit List PDF File
Map of Austin Capitol Complex PDF File

Texas Education Agency (TEA)
William B. Travis State Office Building
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
The artwork is displayed on the first floor.

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA)
E. O. Thompson State Office Building
920 Colorado
Austin, TX 78701
The artwork is displayed on the fifth floor.

Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
Robert E. Johnson Building
1501 North Congress
Austin, Texas 78701
The artwork is displayed on the first floor.

Reflections Quick-Links

Big Changes . . . Reflections 2012

New Online Process!

National PTA has been working to launch an online process for PTAs to advance entries in the Reflections program.  After much testing and consideration, Texas PTA has made the decision to not participate in this new system for this year's program.  An alternate system for Local, Council and Area PTAs to advance entries to the next level of judging will be made available by Texas PTA.

Click here to view the full announcement.

Introducing the Special Artist Grade Division

National PTA and Texas PTA are excited to introduce the Special Artist Division for our Reflections program.  This new grade division is limited to students who have physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Currently, students with developmental challenges may enter the program in the grade division that is appropriate for their cognitive level.  Parents of qualifying students may now choose to enter the student in the new Special Artist grade division or continue with the current process, but not both.

Separate rules for the Special Artist Division are available below.

Advancing Special Artist Entries:
As with all other entries, Local PTAs may advance up to 20% of each grade division and arts category.

Student Forms and Rules

Student Entry Form Template Word Document English Spanish
Student Entry Form Template PDF File English Spanish
Please note this form may be customized to include additional information that your PTA may require.

General Student Participation Rules PDF File English Spanish
Special Artist Division Rules PDF File English Spanish

Dance Choreography Rules PDF File English Spanish
Film Production Rules PDF File English Spanish
Literature Rules PDF File English Spanish
Musical Composition Rules PDF File English Spanish
Photography Rules PDF File English Spanish
Visual Arts Rules PDF File English Spanish

Advancing Entries

  • Local PTAs will advance 20% of their entries to the Council PTA or Area PTA level. If a Local PTA is not a member of a Council PTA, their entries are advanced to the Area PTA.

    Parents should confirm the deadline to submit entries with their Local PTA President or Arts in Education/Reflections Chair.  Texas PTA recommends that the Local PTA deadline is no later than three weeks prior to your Council PTA or Area PTA deadline.  Local PTAs must contact their Council or Area PTA for this deadline.
     
  • Council and Area PTAs will advance a maximum of 30 entries to Texas PTA as follows:
    One entry from each of the six arts categories and four traditional grade divisions (24 entries)
    One entry (Pre-K - 12) per arts category in the Special Artist Division (6 entries)

    All entries advancing to state-level judging must be received at the Texas PTA office no later than
    5:00 pm on January 15.
     
  • Texas PTA will advance 30 entries to National PTA.  The results of state-level judging will be posted on the Texas PTA website no later than March 31.

Local PTA (School-level) Reflections Chair Forms and Documents

National PTA has instituted several changes to the Reflections program. Texas PTA is hosting webinars for both Local PTAs and Council/Area PTAs to provide training on advancing entries to the next level of judging. Both webinars were recorded and have been posted to the Texas PTA website for those who could not attend.

Local PTA Webinar (School-level)

Advancing Entries for Local PTAs: Recorded Monday, October 29, 2012

Council / Area PTA (School District / Area-level)
Reflections Chair Forms and Documents

National PTA has instituted several changes to the Reflections program. Texas PTA is hosting webinars for both Local PTAs and Council/Area PTAs to provide training on advancing entries to the next level of judging. Both webinars were recorded and have been posted to the Texas PTA website for those who could not attend.

Council/Area PTA Webinar (School District / Area-level)

Advancing Entries for Council PTA and Area PTA: Recorded Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Promotional and Recognition Resources

Timeline for Returning Reflections Artwork

  • Texas PTA will return all Visual Arts and Photography entries to the Reflections Chairs of each Council or Area from which artwork was received.
  • One shipment will be made to the Council/Area Chairs once the exhibit pieces have been returned to the State office around mid-May.
  • The Council or Area Reflections Chairs should arrange for the artwork to be delivered to their respective Local PTAs.

2014-2015 National PTA Reflections Theme Search Contest

Each year, National PTA's Reflections Program adopts a new theme that students use when creating their artwork. Theme ideas are submitted by students from across the country and one is selected as the next year's theme. The student who submits the winning entry receives a cash award and his/her theme is used as the foundation for Reflections in a following year.

Thank you to all students who participated in the Reflections Theme Search Contest. With over 1,000 themes to choose from, Texas PTA had the difficult task of selecting five entries that would advance to the national-level judging. National PTA will select one theme to be used for the 2014-2015 Reflections program and
the winning student will receive a $100 award. Final results should be available in June 2013.

Good luck to our Texas students!

State Results

In My Own Backyard
Max Lloyd
Bluebonnet Elementary PTA, Lewisville

Challenge Accepted!
Haylee Brown
Roach Middle School PTA, Frisco

Epic Adventure
Brandt Goodrich
Bluebonnet Elementary PTA, Lewisville

Everyday Super Heroes
Rachel Morris
Bear Branch Elementary PTA, Humble

Under a Microscope
Madeline Lloyd
Bluebonnet Elementary PTA, Lewisville

2013-2014 Theme Announced!!

Believe, Dream, Inspire
Julie Lampert
Waverly Park Elementary PTA
East Rockway, NY