2008–2009 National PTA Reflections Program
GENERAL STUDENT PARTICIPATION RULES
Theme: WOW!
Students must adhere to the following general rules as well as the rules for their specific arts area.
1. Theme
The theme for the 2008–2009 program is “WOW!". Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme are acceptable.
2. Student eligibility through local PTA
Students must participate in the Reflections Program through a PTA/PTSA in good standing. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program. It is the responsibility of the state and local PTA/PTSA to determine each student’s eligibility in the Reflections Program.
A student may develop an entry in or outside of school.
3. Grade divisions
Students may enter the Reflections Program in the appropriate division for their grade. The divisions are as follows:
- Primary: preschool–grade 2
- Intermediate: grades 3–5
- Middle/Junior: grades 6–8
- Senior: grades 9–12
If students do not fall under specific grade divisions, National PTA suggests that they be grouped as follows:
- Primary: up to age 7
- Intermediate: ages 8–10
- Middle/Junior: ages 11–13
- Senior: ages 14+
It is the responsibility of the local PTA/PTSA to determine the appropriate division if necessary.
4. Arts areas
Students may submit works in any of the six arts areas:
National PTA does not limit the number of entries a student may submit.
5. Children with disabilities
National PTA believes that each child with a disability should be provided a free and appropriate public education. Therefore, the Reflections Program at the national level does not have a special division for students with disabilities. National PTA believes it is the right of parents to place their child in the Reflections Program grade division that best reflects the child’s developmental age. However, guidelines for state and local Reflections Programs vary. Check with your state PTA for its guidelines.
6. Deadlines
Each student must submit his or her work by the deadline established by his or her local PTA/PTSA. Each local PTA/PTSA sponsoring the program will set a deadline for entries in adherence with the state, district, and council needs. These entries are judged, and the selected works are forwarded to the next level of judging (council, district, or state). Direct all questions regarding deadlines or rules to your state PTA or state arts chair. Minnesota PTA deadline is Febuary 6, 2009.
7. Judging
All national entries are judged on artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme.
The Reflections Program makes no restriction on content or subject in artwork. Students who are submitting entries need to meet school and/or local and state PTA standards. Judges review entries based upon creativity, artistic merit, and interpretation of the theme.
Each PTA determines its own judges for the program. Under no conditions may parents or students contact the judges to dispute the status of an entry. All decisions of judges are final.
8. Award recipient notification
State arts chairs will notify students who receive national recognition. State arts chairs will submit original photography and visual arts pieces to National PTA for the creation of the Reflections Program Gallery on the National PTA website.
9. Further information
Only your state PTA office and state PTA arts chair can provide you with information about your state’s Reflections Program rules and deadlines.
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