Category: Reflections

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Reflections 50th Grant

Reflections 50th AnniversaryApply here.

For 50 years, the National PTA Reflections arts program has helped millions of students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

The program’s golden year vision is to inspire all students and their families to participate in educational activities and celebratory events. In honor of the program’s milestone and respect to its purpose and vision, National PTA challenges all PTAs to spark creativity and learning fun by hosting Reflections educational activities for all students to participate in and learn through the arts.

Tell us your plans on how you will deliver Reflections educational activities to all children at your school and be considered for a National PTA Reflections Grant! National PTA will honor the commitment of two applicants for their projects that will aim to increase access to high quality arts learning and increase participation in PTA Reflections. 2018 Reflections Grants provide your PTA the opportunity to match National PTA’s Mary Lou Anderson Endowment dollars with that of school and community partners to accomplish arts education projects.

Competitive applications will demonstrate:

  1. A commitment to delivering proven strategies for increasing access to high quality arts learning experiences—providing new pathways for students to participate in PTA Reflections
  2. A detailed budget of $1,000 or more for educational resources, materials and/or instruction expenses. A combination of financial and/or in-kind contributors (e.g. PTA, school, and community business) must match the grant award of $1,000. Matching funds are unrestricted and may include in-kind supplies/services.
  3. Alignment with Reflections theme and efforts to involve the whole school community in  activities/events between September 1 and November 1, 2018

Apply by 11:59 PST on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Requirements
  • Applicant must be a PTA in good standing, as determined by the State PTA.
  • Project must occur between September 1 and November 1, 2018.
  • Project budget must include $1,000 in contributions from school/community partner.
  • Project budget must include $1,000 in expenses for teacher and learning resources/supplies.
  • Recipient must complete a post-project survey by December 21.
Criteria
  • Project will welcome and encourage ALL students to participate in PTA Reflections.
  • Project will deliver high quality arts education lessons/activities in the literary, media, visual and/or performing arts and ensure teaching and learning strategies meet student needs.
Timeline
  • Application Period: April – June
  • Awards Announced: September
  • Grant Period: September – November
Intended Outcomes
  • Encourage all students to have fun and explore the arts.
  • Provide arts supplies to students needing them most.
  • Build relationships with families and school personnel.
  • Establish powerful school-community arts partnerships.

Missouri PTA Announces 2018 “Within Reach” State Reflections Program Winners!

Missouri PTA is pleased to announce the 2018 “Within Reach” State Reflections Program winners. These students and their families will be receiving an invitation to the annual Missouri PTA Student Showcase on April 29th at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Convention Center in Independence. The first place winning entries have been advanced to National PTA for consideration. The national level results will be announced in early May.

Please notify Missouri PTA with any corrections to this list by email ([email protected]) by March 30th. This will help ensure that all student awards and program materials are correct. Thank you in advance for your help.

Congratulations to all of our Reflections participants and volunteers on very successful program this year. Thank you for helping keep the Reflections Program a strong and cherished PTA tradition.

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Student Artists Honored for Creative Talents in 2016-2017 National PTA Reflections Program

Students to be recognized at 2017 National PTA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 10, 2017)—National PTA is pleased to announce the winners of its 2016-2017 Reflections® student art awards program. Seven students from across the country have been honored with the Outstanding Interpretation Award, and nearly 200 students have been recognized with Awards of Excellence and Merit. The awards honor creative interpretations of the theme “What Is Your Story?” in the areas of special artist, dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.

“We applaud all of the students across the country who participated in the 2016-2017 Reflections program, and we are thrilled to recognize the award winners for their remarkable talents and creativity,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “Participation in the arts is essential to students’ academic achievement and social and emotional development. The arts inspire creativity and self-expression and help build children’s confidence and sense of accomplishment.”

During the 2016-2017 school year, tens of thousands of students in schools nationwide and in U.S. schools overseas submitted original works to be considered for PTA’s highest honors in the arts. Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients will receive an $800 scholarship to further their artistic talents, and their local PTA will be awarded $200 to support arts and culture in their community. Award of Excellence recipients will receive a $200 scholarship. All national award recipients receive a medallion and certificate.

The following students have been recognized with the Outstanding Interpretation Award:

Hannah Curtis

Midway High School PTA, Waco, Texas

Special Artist: “Who I Am”

Madison Warnick

Mountain View High School PTSA, Orem, Utah

Dance Choreography: “Human”

Nico Chilla

Cupertino High School PTSA, Cupertino, Calif.

Film Production: “Being Human”

Emma Liu

Urbana Middle School PTSA, Ijamsville, Md.

Literature: “The Sun Above Me”

Albert Wang

Falcon Cove Middle School PTA, Weston, Fla.

Music Composition: “Bears in The Valley”

Rachel Doyle

Syosset High School PTA, Syosset, N.Y.

Photography: “Out Of The Darkness”

Kassandra Burger

Mentor High School PTSA, Mentor, Ohio

Visual Arts: “The Story of My Life”

These students are invited to present their works on stage at the 2017 National PTA Convention & Expo, Saturday, June 24 during an awards celebration. The award recipients will also be honored in a student showcase in January 2018 at the U.S. Department of Education’s LBJ Building in Washington, DC. The ceremony will open an exhibition of their artwork, which will be displayed in the building through the end of February 2018.

Each year, the National PTA Reflections program encourages students of all ages to explore and be involved in the arts. Through the program, National PTA and PTAs across the country encourage students in preschool through grade 12 to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice—dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography or visual arts—that reflect on the annual theme. There also is a special artist division to provide all students the opportunity to participate in the program. Submissions are reviewed by visual, literary and performing art experts, and students are recognized for their artistic ingenuity in bringing the theme to life.

“For nearly 50 years, the National PTA Reflections program has been bringing the arts to life for millions of students across the country,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “National PTA remains committed to the importance of arts in education, and continues to work to ensure all students have access to art programs and classes in their schools and communities.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

 

Media Contact

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

[email protected], (703) 518-1242