Reflections

What is Reflections?

The Reflections Program, organized by California State PTA and National PTA, is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. It provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education. It was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson. Since that time, more than 10 million students have participated in the program. The program’s longevity and participation figures attest to its strength. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools and communities is unmatched.

Participation in and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program’s goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a “contest” format, winning should not be the emphasis. 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 that supports a specific theme.

More info can be found at https://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/. 

How to Participate?

All Pacific Sky students from all grades are welcome to submit an entry in any of the six arts areas:
Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Film Production

Only original works of art are accepted. A student can submit in one or more arts areas but there should be one entry only in one area. The guideline for each arts area can be found here: https://capta.org/resource/participant-forms/. Please read through the guideline for the requirements for the artwork format, dimension, etc. The artwork should be related to this year's theme "I'm Hopeful Because...". Submission deadline is October 13th Friday. 

A participating student’s parent/guardian should download this entry form https://bit.ly/3DEt0GO, complete, sign and return it together with the artwork submission (paper or electronic). Please use the following methods to submit:

• Physical artwork submission for Literature papers, Visual Arts paintings/sculptures

  • Put the student's full name and grade on the back of the artwork and place the artwork in the collection bin at the school front office

• Electronic artwork submission for music (mp3/wav), video (mp4/mov/avi), image (jpeg/jpg/png) files: put the student’s full name, grade, arts area in the file name (e.g., Jane_Doe_3G_Visual_Arts.jpg)

  • Put a USB drive with the electronic files in the collection bin at the school front office, or

  • Upload the files to the corresponding Google folder in https://bit.ly/3OFeghg (need Google account)

Don't forget to submit the entry form https://bit.ly/3DEt0GO together with the artwork.

Submissions will be judged with their peers in the same division: Primary (K-Grade 2), Intermediate (Grade 3-5), Middle School (Grade 6), Special Artists (Ungraded). A judge panel will review and select one entry per arts area per division to be forwarded to the next level of competition. Each participating student will receive a certificate of participation from Pacific Sky, regardless if their artwork is selected or not for the next level. Submissions selected for the next level will have a chance to win the state level and national level awards described in https://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/. Submissions will also be shared/displayed in the school for certain period of time.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Health & Safety Chair Matthew Cheng (healthsafetychair@pacificskypta.org).