2025-2026 Reflections: I Belong!

Thank you for volunteering and supporting our children in the arts through the PTA Reflections Program. We love this program because it allows children to express themselves through various art forms. 

Online registration & entry: Each unit will register on the National PTA website!

You will use the Student Entry Portal to enter artwork. The National PTA Student Entry Portal is designed to allow each unit to upload and advance entries to the correct levels. This year, local units will advance entries directly to the state level for judging. There will be no Council/City level judging.

Start by registering your unit:

1. Go to https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections. 

2. Scroll down until you see the “Register” button. Click the “Register” link. 

3. Enter the requested information such as: PTA name, PTA 8-digit ID number, Chairperson information, address, etc. Please note you will be able to look up your 8-digit PTA ID number if you don’t know it.

4. Once you have registered, you will be able to access the Reflections Entry Portal for your unit!

Entering Submissions Online:

After receiving Reflections entries, you may submit them on the portal https://ptareflections.smapply.io/ by uploading submissions and creating student entries. *Note: When creating an entry, you will enter the student’s name, address, title of work, and artist’s statement.

1. Please note what level of judging the entry is currently at. For example, local, state, etc. All entries placing at the unit level will be advanced to the state level and will appear in the state unit portal for judging.

2. Note: It is important to make sure that all rules have been followed for each entry. An entry that hasn’t followed the guidelines will be disqualified.

3. Make sure to select “South Dakota” on the drop-down menu for state selection. If the incorrect state is accidentally selected, it will go to a different state.

4. A suggestion: Use the Adobe Scan app to take a picture of each entry. This is a free app and it is amazing! The app allows you to take more than one photo if needed and then turns your photos into a PDF. The PDF can then be uploaded to the portal. This step works for Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts entries. **For music, dance, and video entries, you will need to upload the file directly. 

Reflections Winners: Each unit chair is asked to email a list of the winners/entries that have been submitted to the state. This ensures that every entry is accounted for in the Reflections portal. Information should be emailed to southdakotareflections@gmail.com. 

Judging: State entries are judged by people with experience in each category across the state of South Dakota. If you would like to assist with judging, please contact us at the number or email listed below. 

Reflections Recognition: PTA units and councils are highly encouraged to recognize their students for their amazing works of art! The PTA store, https://stores.shoppta.com/index.lasso?host=SDPTA, has certificates, medals, and trophies. We also encourage local units to recognize everyone that enters the program with a ribbon. 

Stay Connected: There are a number of ways to find information and stay connected! 

SD PTA Reflections email: southdakotareflections@gmail.com.

Text or call with questions: Charity Day (605) 651-1916.

Find us on Facebook “SD PTA Reflections”. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

· Entries are submitted to the State level via the portal by December 15th.

· Selected judges receive entries by December 29th.

· Judging scores are due back to the state by January 17th.

· State results are posted early March.

· State award winners are invited to the Reflections Banquet at the State PTA Convention in April.

· National results are posted early May.

We look forward to working with you this year! Please feel free to contact me with questions about the PTA Reflections program.

Sincerely,

Charity Day

SD PTA Reflections Chair

SouthDakotaReflections@gmail.com