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National PTA Reflections welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Annually, thousands of students will reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The theme for the 2015-2016 school year is Let Your Imagination Fly.

Follow the Massachusetts PTA Reflections Group on Facebook for posts on up-to-date program information and deadlines. Ask questions or share your own Reflections program ideas and experiences for other PTAs to learn from. This is a closed (private) group so entry forms, training resources and the local leader’s guide will also be available to preview and download. Contact your State Reflections Chair, Mikki Wilson, if you have any questions about the program or how to get started.

It’s National Arts in Education Week! Why not start a PTA Reflections program in your school community? Contact Massachusetts PTA for instructions and materials. Use the 2015-16 Reflections Toolkit to guide your PTA/PTSA and make your Reflections program a success.

Step 1: Start the Arts

Watch this 30min video or take the Reflections Leader e-learning course to walk through a step-by-step process for engaging students, parents and educators in Reflections while learning about resources and tools provided by your State PTA and National PTA.

Step 2: Organize and Plan Your Program

Recruit a committee/team of volunteers to assist with program tasks. Also recruit community arts professionals to review artwork and determine awards. Customize your checklist to organize tasks and schedule deadlines.

Step 3: Promoting Reflections

Announce your call for entries using PTA, school and community communication channels. Be sure to include a deadline and drop off location as well as submission instructions. Consider these Tips for Promoting Reflections.

Step 4: Organize Artwork for Judging

First, check-in entries and review artwork for qualification. Organize entries by division and category, then assign them to a judge.

Step 5: Celebrate and Recognize Your Participants

Start with the Reflections celebration guide to help plan your event. Share the media advisory and press release with local media.

Step 6: Wrap Up

Be sure to thank school staff, community partners, PTA members and judges. Organize information to share with PTA and school leaders.

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Questions? Contact Mikki Wilson, Massachusetts PTA Reflections Chair, for a guide, state-specific dates, forms and additional information.

Reflections can’t stART without a theme, and that’s where you come in.

National PTA Reflections sponsors a student-focused Theme Search Contest annually to determine a future program theme. Children and youth can submit a national theme to serve as the inspiration for Reflections artists and their original works. Students submitting the winning theme receive $100 and recognition at the National PTA Convention.

Massachusetts PTA welcomes all students from PTAs in good standing to participate! Massachusetts PTA will select 5 winning themes in November to represent Massachusetts in the contest for the 2017-18 Reflections Theme!

Entries must be submitted to the Massachusetts PTA by November 16, 2015. Download the theme search student entry form in English or Spanish.