Reflections Art Program 2025-2026

2025-26 Theme: "I Belong"

The National PTA Reflections program encourages students from Pre-K through 12th grade to express themselves through various artistic categories including dance, film, literature, music, photography, and visual arts. Students may submit multiple entries in any or all categories, with opportunities to advance through Council, State, and National levels. Scholarships and prizes are available for top entries.

Participation requires that students, or a member of their immediate family, hold a current membership in their local PTA. Entries are initially judged at the local campus level, with the potential to progress to Council, Texas, and National PTAs.

Texas PTA provides comprehensive resources to support your PTA in managing a successful Reflections season.

Submit theme ideas for a chance to win $100.

TX PTA Resources

• Reflections Leader Resources for guidelines, forms, and judging rules.
• Training Video covering all the basics of running a successful program.
• Download the entry forms and promotional materials for this year.
• Use the Advancing Entry Spreadsheet to track and submit entries advancing to Council.

Centralized Judges List Available

We are pleased to provide a centralized directory of judges to support our Reflections chairs. Each individual listed has agreed to judge one or more events and welcomes your outreach.

Reflections Judges Directory

Important Notice
This directory is for PTA use only. Any other use is strictly prohibited. Information in the directory may not be used for business or solicitation purposes by anyone. This includes businesses operated by PTA members as well as outside businesses. Thank you for your cooperation.

SUBMITTING ENTRIES FOR Council Judging

All advancing entries must be submitted to Council by November 10, 2025.

Submit Entries Here

• Before submitting your advancing entries on the Council Advancing Entries Form, please make sure you:
  ✅ Complete the top section of each student’s entry form in full.
  ✅ Verify PTA Membership – Each student (or one family member) must have a current 2025–26 PTA membership. Confirm and note this at the top of each entry form.
  ✅ Upload Required Documents:
  Advancing Entry Spreadsheet
  Texas PTA Local PTA Participation Summary
• Each student’s submission should include no more than three files:
  - PDF of the Student Entry Form
  - Word Doc or PDF of Supporting Documents (music score, lyrics, script, poem, essay, etc.)
  - Reflections Entry File (one file per entry)
• Be sure to review the Council Advancing Entries Form for file-naming instructions. 
• If an entry advances to state, we will make arrangements based on the Texas PTA Reflections guidelines. Please plan and communicate this with your families.

Reminder: Advance to Council only those entries on your campus that received an Award of Excellence (Blue Ribbon) — typically the top 20% of entries.

Awards

• Now that judging is complete on your campus, it is time for celebrating! Art prizes, certificates and ribbons are given to top entries! (Varies per campus coordinator.)
• Awards at the campus level:
  • Award of Excellence (Blue ribbon) 20% of entries, these entries advance to Council
  • Award of Merit (Red ribbon) 20% of entries
  • Honorable Mention (White ribbon) 30% of entries
• Optional: Participation (green ribbon) may be given to all entries just for participating in Reflections on your campus whether they receive an award or not.
• Order ribbons through our local vendor for fair pricing and quick turnaround: Spirit Promotions Lynette@spiritpromotions.net
• Another option is PTA's online market with National PTA ribbons and certificates.

Quick-Start Actions for Arts in Education Chairs

• Collaborate with the outgoing Arts Chair to assess materials needed for the school.
• Register annually with Texas PTA: https://txpta.my.salesforce-sites.com/OfficerIntake
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with important dates.
• Sign the Texas PTA Confidentiality and Ethics Agreement: download here.
• Complete the required FOUNDATIONS Essentials by October 15.
• Review the Texas PTA Basics Programs Resource Guide (English | Spanish) for all things related to the Arts in Education position, including running the Reflections program.

Duties at a Glance

• Support year-round arts-related activities at your school.
• Coordinate with the Programs VP to include arts in the school calendar.
• Promote the Reflections program and recognize participating students.
• Ensure your PTA maintains Active Status with Texas PTA by October 31 for eligibility.

More on Arts in Education

Arts in Education is a long-standing priority for PTA. Working to incorporate the arts into daily learning contributes to growth and education of the whole child. We are passionate about supporting creative kids and giving all students the chance to express themselves creatively.

ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES

• City of Plano Library Art Resources
• Texas PTA Arts in Education
• National PTA Arts in Education

ARTS SUCCESS

One of the most valuable benefits of PTA is that our Leaders are part of a larger community who have the opportunity to network and share with one another. We know that PTAs across Texas are doing great things, and we want to hear about each one of them! Submit your success story and be the Talk of Texas!

LOCAL ART GROUPS

• https://www.collaborativeartsofplano.org/
• https://www.plano.gov/816/Art-in-the-Library
• https://www.facebook.com/planoarts
• https://www.facebook.com/planoartwalk
• https://www.facebook.com/planoartscoalition
• https://www.facebook.com/planosymphony

ART RESEARCH

• https://www.txculturaltrust.org
• https://www.artsedsearch.org
• https://www.arts.gov
• https://www.americansforthearts.org
• https://www.kennedy-center.org/education

Contact Us

Email: arts@planopta.org

To volunteer, fill out the Council Arts Volunteer Form.