Reflections

PTA’s “Reflections” Program
2010-2011 Theme : “Together we can …”

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Four of our Stoneleigh Elementary student entries in the 2009-2010 PTA Reflections Program were named winners of Awards of Merit from the Baltimore County judging level for their outstanding interpretation of the “Beauty is…” theme:

Photography, Primary Age Group:

Award of Merit to James Buttarazzi

Award of Merit to Hannah Lechtzin

Literature, Primary Age Group:    Award of Merit to Maia Dalton

Literature, Intermediate Age Group:    Award of Merit to Georgia Darwin

Some facts about the 2009-2010 program:

• 20 elementary schools participated at the local level
• 369 entries were submitted for Council level judging (272 of them elementary entries)
• 132 entries were selected to receive recognition at the County level: 60 Awards of Excellence and 72 Awards of Merit

This year there were 14 entries from Stoneleigh Elementary, up from 6 entries last year.

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The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students.  The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme.  2010-2011 theme is “Together we can…..”

Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art.

Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas.  Guidelines for each category are linked below.  Only original works of art are accepted.  Students may enter more than one work of art.  All entries should be artwork inspired by the current year’s theme and created expressly for the Reflections program.

General Participation Rules

The guidelines for the six arts areas are as follows:
* Literature
* Visual Arts
* Photography
* Musical Composition
* Dance Choreography
* Film Production

If your child is interested in entering the PTA Reflections Program, review the rules for each category, plus the General Participation Rules.  All submitted artwork much have a Reflections Student Entry Form attached.

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by school grade. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The four grade divisions are as follows:

• Primary: Preschool- Grade 2 or up to age 7
• Intermediate: Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10
• Middle/Junior: Grades 6-8 or ages 11-13
• Senior: Grades 9-12 or ages 14+

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local unit, council, PTA district, state and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local unit level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. Once entries reach the level of the Maryland PTA, entries may be selected for submission to the National PTA.  Award of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and are displayed as part of the program’s traveling exhibit.

Please remember that:

• All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the annual Reflections Program theme.
• Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as for those with visual or physical disabilities)
• Participation encourages creativity and exploration. Students should do their best, but crooked lines, incorrect musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone.

Questions?  Contact Kim Booher or Courtney McGee.