It’s that time of year, and we’re excited! We hope you are too!
Thank you for the time and commitment you give that allows students to express themselves artistically through the PTA Reflections Program. Here is everything you need to know to get started!
Theme: This year’s theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.”
Students create original works of art in one or more of the following mediums: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Music Composition, Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts. In addition to a title, each entry must have an artist statement where the student explains their inspiration and how it relates to the theme.
Online Registration & Entry: To start, you need to register your PTA for the program on the National PTA website. You will use the Student Entry Portal to enter artwork and advance entries to the appropriate level. We do not have City/Council levels, so each entry should be advanced directly to the state level for judging.
Start by registering your unit:
1. Go to https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections
2. Scroll down until you see the “Register Now” button and click the link.
3. Enter the required information: PTA name, PTA 8-digit ID number, State, and Chairperson’s information. You will be able to look up your PTA 8-digit PTA number if you don’t know what it is.
4. Once registered, you will have to access the Reflections Entry Portal for your unit!
Entering Submissions Online:
After receiving submissions, you will create individual student entries on the portal https://ptareflections.smapply.io/.
1. Ensure all guidelines and rules have been followed for each entry. Entries not following the guidelines will be disqualified.
2. Upload artwork, photos, music, etc. along with the student’s name, address, title of work, and artist’s statement. A suggestion: Use the Adobe Scan app to take a photo of each entry. This free app allows you to take multiple photos, if necessary, and compiles them into a pdf, which can then be uploaded to the portal. Note: For Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production, you will need to upload the file from the flash drive it was received on.
3. Be sure to select “South Dakota” from the state selection drop-down menu. If the incorrect state is selected, we will not be able to view the entry.
4. Email your PTA’s list of entries to PTAReflectionsSD@gmail.com to ensure each entry is accounted for in the portal.
Judging: Entries are divided into five divisions: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), and Accessible Arts for students who identify as having a disability and may require division-specific accommodations, and are judged by individuals with experience in each category.
If you know of a potential judge for any of the categories, please email their information to PTAReflectionsSD@gmail.com.
Reflections Recognition: PTA units are highly encouraged to recognize all students for their amazing entries! The PTA store, https://stores.shoppta.com/index.lasso?host=SDPTA, has a great assortment of certificates, medals, and trophies to choose from. By recognizing all entries, we encourage students to continue in the arts!
Winners at the State and National levels are recognized during Reflections Banquets which occur in conjunction with the State and National Conventions.
Stay Connected: There are a number of ways to find information and stay connected!
SD PTA Reflections email: PTAReflectionsSD@gmail.com
Visit our website: South Dakota PTA - Please be patient as we are working to update all pertinent information.
Visit the National PTA website: Reflections Arts Program | National PTA
Find us on Facebook: “South Dakota PTA” Facebook and “SD PTA Reflections” SD PTA Reflections | Facebook
IMPORTANT DATES:
· Entries must be submitted to the State level via the portal byDecember 15th.
· State results are posted in March, with winners advancing to National.
· State winners are invited to the Reflections Banquet held during the State PTA Convention on April 24th, which will take place in Rapid City this year.
· National results are posted in May.
**Please note: We are presently seeking a State-level Reflections Chair. This individual would oversee the submission and judging processes and take the lead on planning the Reflections Banquet. If interested, please email PTAReflectionsSD@gmail.com or sdptarocks@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing what your students create!
Sincerely,
The South Dakota PTA Board
These additional resources will help enhance and improve your Reflections program:
ll Reflections Artwork must be submitted to the state competition by December 15.
Artwork will be judged at the state level and winners will be invited to the Reflections Award Ceremony at the State PTA Convention.
The dates/themes listed on the forms below may be from previous years, but the rules have not changed.
Please update the date/theme prior to providing forms to your students.
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