2016 National PTA Reflections & Awards Celebration

January 17, 2017 by Madison Estes

This past school year, nearly 300,000 students in over 8,000 schools across the country and in U.S. schools overseas contributed their original works to be considered for PTA’s highest honor in the arts. This past spring, a panel of experts reviewed more than 1,000 national round submissions. National PTA is honored to announce 206 of the most creative works from the 2015-16 school year.

Massachusetts PTA would like to recognize our 2015-16 Reflections honorees, Katherine Roberts of Monson PTSA and Ryan Behrens of Hopkinton PTA. Katherine was recognized with an Award of Excellence in Music Composition for her Concerto #1: A Child’s Dream. Ryan was recognized with an Award of Merit for Photography with his piece, Flying Through Leaves.

Congratulations Reflections Winners!

March 27, 2016 by Madison Estes

Congratulations to this year’s Reflections winners! Fourteen winning entries have advanced to the National Round. Stay tuned for National Awards Announcement on May 1, 2016.

Click here to see the full list of Massachusetts state winners.

Apply for Mary Lou Anderson Grant

January 9, 2016 by Madison Estes

Enhance PTA arts projects in your school community!

The National PTA Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant provides up to $1,000 in matching funds to support local PTA arts projects within their school community. Funded projects will increase access to learning opportunities in the literary, media, visual and/or performing arts for at-risk or underserved audiences. Arts projects must actively engage families and community partners to strengthen family-school partnerships.

Apply today!

Eligible applicants must be a PTA in good standing, as determined by the State PTA.

Review the 2016 call for proposals and submit your application online by 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, March 11, 2016.

Past Funded Projects

Robert A. Millikan High School PTSA in Long Beach, CA, expanded learning with AP Studio Art curriculum, deepened learning with Long Beach Museum of Art instruction and expanded professional exhibit and portfolio building opportunities that better prepared all students for college and career opportunities.

Netzaberg Middle School PTSA a U.S. DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity School) in Germany., provided an after school Reflections Art Club led by teaching artists. Each of the six artistic disciplines represented in the National PTA Reflections Arts Program were offered at various times throughout the course of the year so that students had the chance to experiment with different media in an environment where a teaching team of adult mentors could increase the self-esteem of students who may lack this kind of adult interest and encouragement in their lives.

Mary McArthur A+ Elementary School PTA in Fayetteville, NC, hosted a series of Family Arts Nights in partnership with local arts organizations and businesses. Mary McArthur is a Cumberland County School District’s only self-contained deaf/hearing impaired elementary school and also serves many ESL students. Family-centered arts activities, hosted by professional artists, allowed parents to learn about the A+ model– in which school instruction is taught. Parents took home hands-on learning techniques for supporting their child’s learning at home.

Questions? Email Reflections@PTA.org

New! Reflections Promo Video for Students

October 3, 2015 by Madison Estes

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KjzPN4mTdE[/embedyt]

National PTA Reflections welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Annually, thousands of students will reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The theme for the 2015-2016 school year is Let Your Imagination Fly.

Follow Reflections on Facebook

October 2, 2015 by Madison Estes

Follow the Massachusetts PTA Reflections Group on Facebook for posts on up-to-date program information and deadlines. Ask questions or share your own Reflections program ideas and experiences for other PTAs to learn from. This is a closed (private) group so entry forms, training resources and the local leader’s guide will also be available to preview and download. Contact your State Reflections Chair, Mikki Wilson, if you have any questions about the program or how to get started.

Past Funded Projects

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