MCCPTA Reflections Fall Training

1. MCCPTA Reflections Training
Fall 2012
Presented by
Melissa A. McDonald

2. MCCPTA Reflections
Co-Chairs
Chris McDermott
Phone: 301-253-9059
E-mail: malimcdermott@verizon.net
Melissa McDonald
Phone: 240-654-4855
E-mail: melissa.lewis.mcdonald@gmail.com

3. What is Reflections?
 The program offers students the opportunity to create
works of art for fun and recognition.
 Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged
to submit works of art in six areas:
Literature Visual Arts
Musical Composition Film Production
Photography Dance Choreography

4.  In its 40+ year history, the program has
encouraged millions of students across the
nation and in American schools overseas
to explore their artistic talents.
 The Reflections Program was started in
1969 by then Colorado PTA President
Mary Lou Anderson.

5.  Each year, the Reflections Program challenges
students to create art that relates to a specific
theme.
 Themes are selected from thousands of ideas
submitted by students to PTA’s Reflections
Program Theme Search.
 This year’s theme was submitted by Kate
Eldredge of Braun Station Elementary PTA in
San Antonio, TX.

6. 2012-2013 Reflections
theme is:
“The Magic of a Moment…”

7. To learn more about Reflections:
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/
 (Please
join this listserv as it is our primary form of
communication)
 www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html
 (State Reflections website)
 www.ptareflections.org/ (Note: use forms on MDPTA website)
 (National Reflections website)
 www.pta.org/2032.asp
 (National Reflections website)

8. Reflections Yahoo Listserv
 Most of our communication is via e-mail
and the Yahoo listserv – please join today!
 Local Reflections Chairperson and PTA
President are asked to join the listserv:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Reflections
MCCPTA

9. Categories
 Visual Arts
 Photography
 Literature
 Dance Choreography
 Music Composition
 Film Production

10. Divisions
 Primary: Grades preK-2
 Intermediate: Grades 3-5
 Middle/Junior: Grades 6-8
 Senior: Grades 9-12

11. New this year:
Special Artist Division
A non-graded division limited to students whose
physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges
meet the guidelines set forth in the ADA.
See pages 3, 6, and 38 in the local chair guide.
More information to follow…watch listserv!

12. Ways to implement a Reflections
program at your school:
 Publicity
 Judging
 Paperwork

13. MCCPTA Reflections:
2011-12 Visual Arts & Photography
Award of Excellence Winners
Photography & Visual Arts
Award of Excellence Recipients
“Diversity Means…”
MCCPTA REFLECTIONS 2011-12

14. Reflections Art Program
PUBLICITY

15. Get the Word Out!
 Let all of your school’s teachers know about
the program
 Via E-mail
 Leave flyer in mailbox
 Speak directly to the teachers at a staff
meeting
 Announce in the school’s newsletter, morning
announcements, web site, Listserv, etc.
 Hang posters in your school

16. Reflections Logo
 http://www.pta.org/Reflections_StyleGuide.pdf

17.  Customizable
flyers available
for your use!
(Check pta.org – members
only section - for this
year’s poster)

18. On the reverse, include details of
your school’s program:
•Deadline for submission
•Where to submit (drop off in workroom/media
center, main office, etc)
•Details for submitting (very important to have a
signed entry form attached)
•Date of showcase & reception
•Chairperson’s contact information

19. Helpful Suggestions
 E-mail Student Guidelines Packet directly to
parent when you are able to do so;
 Leave a stack of flyers in a convenient place for
students to pick-up themselves (in the media
center, for example);
 Post the Student Guidelines and official entry
form on your school or PTA website;

20. Helpful Suggestions
 Shrink wrap visual arts and photography
submissions*
 Mount artwork on foam core or stiff poster board
(but do not exceed maximum dimensions)
*rolls of shrink wrap
available at Michael’s

21. New Requirements
 Include this important information on cover of the
Student Reflections Packet:
 Maximum dimensions of artwork
 Filetype and length maximums – DVD
/CD entries not recorded in stated format
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

22. New Requirements, continued
official entry forms –
 Signed
REQUIRED
and artist statement –
 Title
REQUIRED
PTA section –
 Completed
REQUIRED

23. New Requirements, continued
 Completed Parental Consent Form – must be
included or entry WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
 Follow packaging and labeling details PRIOR to
submission to MCCPTA –improperly packed
entries WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
 No exceptions will be made to any of the new
requirements!

24. Learn New Online System
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/21694123/1691296346/name/Training%20Webin
ar%20flyer%20-%20Local%20PTAs.pdf

25. Reflections Art Program
JUDGING

26. Judging
 Each PTA Reflections chairperson is
responsible for securing judges of their own
local contest
 Helpful to find judges that work with children
and understand their levels of ability
 Judge may use this form (see page 17 in
Local Chair Guide):

27. MCCPTA 2011-12 REFLECTIONS PROGRAM JUDGING SHEET
Theme: “Diversity Means”
GRADE DIVISION ARTS AREA
___ Primary, Pre – 2 ___ Dance
___ Intermediate, 3 – 5 ___ Literature
___ Middle, 6 – 8 ___ Musical Composition
___ Senior, 9 – 12 ___ Photography
___ Visual Arts
___ Film
JUDGING CRITERIA
Interpretation of Theme: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork
itself and the artist statement. Total points=20
Artistic Merit/Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the
theme and its presentation. Total points= 10
Mastery of Medium: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of
the arts area. Total points=10
Maximum Total Points = 40
Name of Interpretation Artistic Mastery of Total Points Comments
Entry of Theme Merit/Creativity Medium for Student

28.  Judges should not be from your own
school –MUST conduct blind judging
(judge cannot see the name of the
student).

29.  With a Post-It note, cover up name of
student if it is on the front of the
artwork.
 Judges should not be able to identify
student’s work

30. Thank the Judges
…a few ideas
 Barnes & Noble, Panera Bread, Michael’s,
Starbuck’s gift cards
 PTA Reflections lapel pin to each judge
 School SWAG
 Certificate of Appreciation

31. Reflections Art Program
PAPERWORK

32. Official Entry Form
 The PTA section MUST be completed –
including all of the dates requested.
 Entries will not be accepted at the MCCPTA
office if entry form is incomplete and/or your
PTA is not in good standing with MDPTA.
No exceptions.

33. Please Note!
 Local PTAs must be in good standing with
Maryland PTA by January 1, 2013 in order to
participate in MCCTPA Reflections. No
exceptions.
 Details are outlined in the chairperson guide-
please read the document carefully before
implementing your local program.
 Contact Chris or Melissa with questions!

34. To Be In Good Standing:
 Membership Dues must be paid
 Bylaws must be current
 Insurance must be paid
 IRS form 990 must be filed
.

35. Entry Form – MUST HAVES
 Each submission must have a completed and signed
official entry form – NO EXCEPTIONS
 Each submission must have a title and a mandatory
artist’s statement - NO EXEPTIONS
 Each local PTA must have a completed PTA
Registration Tool included with their winning entries –
NO EXCEPTIONS

36. Please Note!
 There are NO EXCEPTIONS to any and
all of the mandatory requirements as
outlined in the Local Chair Guidelines.
 MCCPTA cannot accept any entries that
do not adhere to the requirements.

37. Please, please read guidelines
carefully and ask questions!
Remember we are all volunteers trying
to make this a successful program for
our students.

38. Forms & Paperwork
 All forms must be completed and included with
the artwork moving up to the council level
judging.
 Check for online forms on the MDPTA website
under the Reflections tab:
http://www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html
Once available, they will also be uploaded onto
the MCCPTA yahoo group site.

39. Deliver to MCCPTA Office
Entries should be dropped off
during these dates/times.
Monday, December 17: 10am-1:30pm
Tuesday, December 18: 10am-1:30pm
Wednesday, December 19: 10am-1:30pm
Thursday, December 20: 10am-12pm

40. MCCPTA OFFICE
 2096 Gaither Road, Suite 204
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 208-0111
Office Hours: 10am -2pm M-F
Office Manager: Pam Loebach
Entries will not be received after December 20th.
Please call ahead before dropping off entries.

41. All documents will be available
on the MDPTA website and/or
the Yahoo listserv
www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/

42. Reflections Art Program
AWARDS CEREMONY

43. Awards and Recognition
Ceremonies
 Local (school ) level – top 3 in each age division
and arts category division move up to county
level
 MCCPTA (county) level- top 3 in each age
division and arts category move up to state level
MCCPTA Showcase & Awards Ceremony
mid - March 2013

44. Maryland PTA Awards
Maryland PTA will honor its winners as follows:
Outstanding Interpretation of Theme -- Certificate, Ribbon,
Trophy, 3 Complimentary tickets to the Awards Dinner in
July and $100
Award of Excellence – Certificate, Ribbon and $75
Award of Merit – Certificate, Ribbon and $50
Up to ninety entries will be recognized with monetary
awards: 30 Outstanding Interpretation of Theme, 30 Awards
of Excellence and 30 Awards of Merit (one award per arts
category per age division).

45. Local (school) level awards
 Local award ceremonies and recognition are the
responsibility of the local Reflections
chairperson.
 It is recommended that each student receive a
participation award, and those that move
forward to the county level can be awarded
appropriately.
 Be Creative!!

46.  We have used Wholesale Medals
www.wholesalemedals.com and Crown
Trophy www.crowntrophy.com, and have
had good service from both companies,
but you may use whomever you wish.
 The national PTA web site offers
Reflections awards : www.pta.org (click
on PTA store link)

47. Examples of Awards
Lapel Pins
Stickers Medals

48. Example of SKR’s Certificate:
Certificate of Excellence
This certificate is awarded to
Student’s name
In recognition of your 2007-2008 PTA Reflections
literature Entry
“I Can Make a Difference by...”
Christopher Wynne, Principal, Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School Melissa A. McDonald, Reflections Chairperson Date

49. Showcase & Reception Ideas
 Hang a Reflections ‘gallery’ in a hallway near
the site of your awards ceremony (such as the
media center) two weeks before the reception,
so that all students and teachers will be able to
view the submissions.
 Tie it in with a PTA meeting: Reflections
Showcase & Reception held directly after a brief
PTA meeting in early December.

50. Other Ideas for Award Ceremonies
 At WLES, the submissions were hung in their
gallery (main hallway) a few weeks before their
reception. The judges did their judging at the
school.
 WLES held a reception in Media Center one
evening in mid-December. Each child introduced
his or her art piece, and received certificate &
pin.
 Clarksburg ES had an award ceremony in the
morning and included breakfast.

51. Still More Ideas for Award
Ceremonies
 Pizza party at lunch time – Great for high
school students.
 Hang artwork and awards in your school’s
media center for a few weeks so that the
entire school can see the entries.
 Use your imagination & make it your own!

52. MCCPTA Reflections Awards
Ceremony & Gallery
All local Reflections chairpersons are on
the MCCPTA Reflections Awards
Ceremony committee – thanks in advance
for your time, energy and support! 
 Event details TBD – watch the listserv for
information!

53. Join our Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/
Lots of useful (and important) information
is posted there – this is our primary form of
communication - please join!

54. Have fun with your program –
the quality of the kids’ work
will amaze you!

55. Questions ??