Reflections Art Program 2024-2025

Theme: "Accepting Imperfections"

 

The National PTA Reflections program encourages students from Pre-K to 12th grade to express themselves through dance, film, literature, music, photography, and visual arts. Multiple entries are allowed, and winners can advance to Council, State, and National levels, with scholarships and prizes available.

 

Students (or a member of their immediate family) must have a current membership of their local PTA to participate. Multiple entries into any or all of the categories is allowed and encouraged. Students' work is judged at the local campus, with the opportunity to advance to Council, Texas and National PTAs. Scholarships and prizes are available for top entries!

 

Submit theme ideas for a chance to win $100.

2024-2025 Plano ISD Council Winners

January 17, 2025

It’s with great excitement that we announce the winners of our Plano ISD Council-level Reflections program! With 227 amazing submissions from 36 schools, we’ve seen a beautiful array of creativity in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

2024-2025 Council Reflections Results

 

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This year’s theme, "Accepting Imperfection," has inspired so much powerful and honest work. These students have shown us the beauty in embracing flaws, overcoming challenges, and finding strength in our imperfections. Their art is a reminder that growth happens when we allow ourselves to be imperfect, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every participant!

 

Congratulations to all of our "Overall Award of Excellence" honorees who will now move on to the state level! Your creativity and courage to express your true selves are truly inspiring.

 

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the judges and chairpeople at the PTA and Council levels who generously gave their time to review these remarkable submissions. Your support is invaluable!

 

Thank you to all the young artists who participated—your hard work and passion make our community richer. Let’s keep celebrating the power of the arts to help us grow, connect, and embrace who we are.

 

Stay tuned for more updates as we head to the state competition!

2023-2024 national Reflections winners

 

You're invited to our annual Reflections Student Arts Showcase, which will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at 7 p.m. EST on National PTA's YouTube Channel.

 

We hope you will join us as we continue to celebrate the 2023-2024 national Reflections winners! You'll get to hear from a selection of national-level winning artists who will share with us their creative inspiration and perspective on the value of hope in their lives. The showcase will also recognize all national-level wining artists from the "I am Hopeful Because..." Reflections program.

 

RSVP Today

Don't miss out on the fun! RSVP to tell us you'll be attending and we'll be sure you receive timely reminders before the event in January.

 

Details from the 2024-2025 program

 

Due December 7th

Submit to Council: All advancing entries should be submitted to Council through our Council Reflections Submissions Google Form by December 7, 2024 at 8 pm. Please follow the category rules found here.

 

Quick Actions:

  • Register with Texas PTA and follow key updates.
  • Coordinate with your school’s Programs VP and support judging.

For guidelines, forms, and deadlines, visit the Reflections Leader Resources page or email arts@planopta.org.

 

Read National PTA's article on Empowering Students Through Art: A Tale of Two PTAs Making a Difference

Council Reflections Submissions Google Form

 

 

 

Quick-Start Actions

  • Collaborate with the outgoing Arts Chair to assess materials needed for the school.
  • Register annually with Texas PTA: here.
  • 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) as needed for detailed support and best practices and 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.

TX PTA Resources

Important Dates

  • No later than 2nd week of November: Local campus submission deadlines to allow time for judging in advance of Council's submission deadline.
  • November 30th 11:59pm: Advancing Spreadsheet and Local PTA Participation Summary.
  • December 7, 2024: Council deadline for all entries have to be submitted in digital form through our Council PTA Reflections 2024-25 Art Submissions Form.
  • January: Overall Awards of Excellence (AOE) entries are shipped to Texas PTA, so they may not be returned until the end of the Spring semester.

June–August

  • Share new theme
  • Art events on calendar
  • Confirm local deadline
  • Advertise

September

  • Find local judges
  • National Arts in Ed Week
  • Arts Round Table Chat

October

  • Arts and Humanities month
  • 31st: PTA Eligibility deadline

November

  • Local artwork deadline
  • Local artwork is judged
  • 30th: Spreadsheet due
  • Order ribbons

December

  • Council judging
  • Council results
  • Celebrate

January

  • Overall Award of Excellence art to State

February

  • State judging

March

  • National judging

April 

  • Council awards ceremony

Centralized Judges List Available

Calling all Reflections enthusiasts! We’ve created a centralized list of judges for our local Reflections chairs to use for their submissions. Check it out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n6FmJlvxXvU-E6_DqMKVpqtOhmVn-KsLBE9g0_34VVk/edit?usp=sharing

 

Join Our Team of Judges

Interested in joining our incredible team of judges? We'd love to have you! Complete the interest form today and help make a difference: https://pisdcouncil.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/313062

Council Judging

All advancing entries will be submitted to Council through our Council PTA Reflections 2024-25 Art Submissions Google Form by December 7, 2024. 

  • Please follow the category rules found here.
  • 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.

Judging Overview

  • Judging is based on interpretation of theme, creativity, and technique.
  • Entries are divided by age and category (dance, literature, film, music, photography, visual arts).
  • Students with disabilities may choose to enter the Accessible Arts Division, which has modified guidelines.

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.

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

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

ART RESEARCH

Contact Us

Email: arts@planopta.org

To volunteer, fill out the Council Arts Volunteer Form.