The 2023-2024 Reflections theme is
"I am Hopeful Because..."
VIRTUAL LEARNERS WELCOME
Because Reflections is PTA-sponsored (not school-sponsored), and because any community member may join a school's PTA, Texas PTA has determined that Reflections is an excellent way for students to stay connected with their neighborhood school. Contact the neighborhood school PTA for their deadline and how to submit entries.
CONTESTANT INFORMATION
All entries must include a title and an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include 10-100 words.
All students will be judged at their school-level PTA Reflections Contest. Check with your school PTA for the deadline. The top 20% from each school will advance to the RRISD Council of PTAs level competition.
Entry Forms and Rules
Students should download the Program Rules to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form.
| Student Program Rules | English | Spanish |
| Student Entry Form* | English | Spanish |
*Contact school PTA Reflections Chair to check if they are using a digital form.*
Deadline for submissions varies from school to school. Ask your school Reflections chairperson for YOUR deadline.
Category Rules Individually
The Student Program Rules and Student Entry Form can be found on the Eligibility & Participation page in both English and Spanish. If you wish to download the category rules individually, they are linked below:
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General Rules |
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Dance Choreography |
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Film Production |
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Literature |
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Music Composition |
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Photography |
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Visual Arts |
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Special Artist Rules |
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Single Page Rules |
SCHOOL PTA CHAIR INFORMATION
Schools can determine if entry forms will be digital and/or physical. Contact the Council Reflections Chair if you would like a digital form template to customize for your school.
Important dates for local PTAs
- Each school sets its own timeline for school entries and judging. **A good schedule could be, Mid- to Late-October for artwork deadlines, with the judging events the following week.
- Your judging event needs to happen in time for you to get the top 20% data to reflections@rrisdpta.org (Council level) by Nov 6, 2023.
- The Council judging event will take place at Round Rock High School in late November.
TOP 20% SPREADSHEETS DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2023 at 11:59 PM
1. Download and email Council Reflections Chair the TX PTA Advancing Entry Spreadsheet for your school. This contains all the PTA data that we need to advance your entry to Council.
2. Download and email Council Reflections Chair the Advancing Entry Spreadsheet add the artworks link (excepting Visual Arts) in the “Note” (the last item on the spreadsheet) for your top 20%. You can cut and paste most of the columns from your Advancing Entries spreadsheet, then add the artwork info. This spreadsheet has the artwork details we need to conduct our Remote RRISD Council Judging Event. The file will soon be available on our Council website as well.
3. Complete the participation summary for School PTAs: Local PTA Participation Summary
COUNCIL LEVEL JUDGING
PLEASE HELP COUNCIL FIND VOLUNTEERS AND JUDGES FOR THIS EVENT
Round Rock High School Building 700 - Late November - Drop off and pick up dates TBA
Reflections Judging in Eight Easy Steps
Texas PTA Download "How to Host a Virtual Reflections Program" from National PTA
SAMPLE SLIDESHOW FOR JUDGING REFLECTIONS ENTRIES VIRTUALLY
Step One: Download the Reflections Leader Checklist Local PTA (School Level)
Step Two: Identify and recruit Volunteers and judges to help you with your Reflections program. Remember that it's best to have judges who are not closely affiliated with your campus.
Step Three: Verify eligibility of all entries received, including National PTA arts category rules and Texas PTA membership requirements. It's important to be proactive in working with families to resolve any eligibility concerns prior to judging.
Step Four: Host your Reflections judging. Guidelines and suggested Scorecards are available for download. Discuss the Judging Rubric with your judges so they are aware that the highest judging criterion is interpretation of the theme.Council PTAs and Regional Coordinators should follow these judging Guidelines.
Step Five: Download and complete the Advancing Entry Spreadsheet.
Step Six: Following judging, complete the appropriate participation summary for your judging level. School PTAs: Local PTA Participation Summary District PTAs advancing to state-level: Council PTA/Regional Results Summary (Available in December)
Step Seven: Advance entries to the next round of judging by the published deadline.
Step Eight: Celebrate your students and Volunteers!
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A free downloadable Reflections Certificate is available to print and customize on your own! Coming soon!
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Themed ribbons and certificates may be purchased through Shop PTA.
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As an alternative or an addition to traditional awards, you could also purchase themed t-shirts for your participating students, volunteers and/or judges to thank them for supporting PTA and the Reflections program!
Download a Texas PTA Certificate Template (Coming soon) or a National PTA General Student Certificate for easier printing!
Resources for Local Reflections chairs
2023 National PTA General Reflections Flyer (.pdf) (en español)
2023 National PTA Reflections Call for Entries Video
Full Color: English PNG JPG PDF | Spanish PNG JPG PDF
Black & White: English PNG | Spanish PNG
Themed Poster 11×17
Themed Flier 8 1/2 x 11
Get the word out!
media advisory template Reflections press release template
Local PTA Leader's Checklist from Texas PTA
The Local Leader's Guide (Spanish) from National PTA provides an overview of the steps necessary to host a program at your school. You'll also find helpful tools to recruit and train volunteers as well as plan educational activities and family celebrations.
Reflections Online Training:
View the training slides here or scan the QR code below
Reflections Clinic in person: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 9-10am The venue is Round Rock Sports Center.
See the National PTA Reflections page and Texas PTA Reflections page for more local leader information.
Ideas for Virtual Advertising
Include this QR code on printed flyers or posters to direct people to this Council Reflections page.
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TikTok video promos
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Host a Zoom art night and invite secondary level students to lead draw-along for younger students.
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"Challenges" are all the rage with elementary students!
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Showcase student entries in an online art gallery.
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Host a Zoom award ceremony for student recognition and include a slideshow or pre-recorded interviews with advancing students as well as teachers.