The National PTA’s Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them 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 theme for the 2024-2025 program year is “Accepting Imperfection”. Students should submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
What is new for the 2024-2025 Reflections Program?
Reflections is regularly assessed, updated, and enhanced to ensure the program is meeting our goal of providing all students opportunities for recognition and access to the arts.
Florida PTA Reflections Advancement for County Councils:
Congratulations on your success with the Reflections Program in your county/area!
We are excited to see the winning entries that will be advanced to state.
Please submit only your top three winners per Grade Division, per Category by January 12th, 2024.
Please use the following link to the National PTA Reflections Student Entry Portal to upload your advancing entries:
https://ptareflections.smapply.io/acc/l/?next=/prog/
Directions on how to upload: https://www.pta.org/
Video Instructions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15JHjM0gj3xKWfkKBYrO98UasgIrN4BsT/view?usp=drivesdk
Remember all entries must be in the correct format to upload. These will be judged and Awards of Excellence and Merit will be selected. If you have any questions about rules or other formats for entries, please review the National PTA Official Rules and Guidelines. Should you have any questions for Florida PTA, please contact Jenny Mun, Reflections Chairperson at Reflections@floridapta.org.
***Please email Form A and Form B to Reflections@floridapta.org by 1/12/25 to validate your county submissions***
***PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL/INFO WITH YOUR REFLECTIONS CHAIR OR ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMISSIONS***
County Council Due Dates:
Please submit your County Council’s Reflections Due Dates by completing the form below:
https://forms.gle/
| County Council | Turn-in Date | Celebration Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | TBD | |||
| Broward | December 1, 2024 | |||
| Duval | November 15, 2024 | |||
| Escambia | December 6, 2024 | |||
| Hillsborough | November 22, 2024 | |||
| Indian River | TBD | |||
| Martin | December 6, 2024 | |||
| Miami-Dade | November 18, 2024 | |||
| Orange | December 4, 2024 | |||
| Palm Beach | December 13, 2024 | |||
| Pasco | December 13, 2024 | |||
| Pinellas | December 6, 2024 | |||
| Seminole | November 30, 2024 | |||
| Sunshine State PTA | TBD | |||
| Volusia | December 4, 2024 |
New Division Title:
Moving forward, the Special Artist division will be referred to as the Accessible Artist division. This change is in response to concern around the term “special”, based on feedback gathered from participants, volunteers, and partner non-profit organizations and recognizes the importance of evolving how we talk about disability to align with and be more inclusive of people with disabilities.
The division-specific guidelines and student entry forms include updated language and the new title. However, the competition process and structure of the division has not changed.
Clarified and Updated Guidelines:
Materials were updated to provide consistent and clearer guidance around the use of technology and copyright materials in entries:
- Use of Copyright Materials: Guidelines were clarified to explain that, while permitted in certain categories, copyrighted material in an entry must be an incidental and/or is a smaller element of a while and use dto create a completely new and different work of art.
- Use of Technology: Guidelines were clarified to emphasize that digital technology may not provide the primary design and/or concept for an entry and to indicate that entrants must provide a brief description how they used the technology/software, including any generative elements (e.g., algorithmic techniques, artificial intelligence).
The category-specific guidelines and student entry packet/form reflect these changes. In addition, the category-specific guidelines also reflect language adjustments, especially the following:
- Visual Arts: Category-specific guidelines now specify “digital art and graphics (drawings/paintings/illustration)” rather than “computer-generated images”.
- Literature: Category-specific guidelines now specify dictation is permissible based on the student being able, rather than their age.
Register now to participate in the 2024-25 Reflections program
PARTICIPATION IS EASY, EXCITING, AND EMPOWERING
All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas (click on the category for instructions):
- Dance Choreography | Spanish
- Film Production | Spanish
- Literature | Spanish
- Music Composition | Spanish
- Photography | Spanish
- Visual Arts | Spanish
- Accessible Artist | Spanish
Artworks are submitted first to local unit PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by grade-level divisions. Local unit PTAs then send a selection of entries on to county councils for judging. The final artworks submitted to Florida PTA by county councils are then considered for Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Award of Excellence entries are then forwarded to National PTA to represent Florida at the National level.
State-level Award of Excellence honorees receive:
Prizes include a $50 Award, Award of Excellence trophy, medal, and certificate. Original submission of artwork will be displayed at the Florida PTA State Office for one year.
State-level Award of Merit honorees receive:
Prizes include: Award of Merit trophy and certificate. Artwork will be showcased at the Florida PTA Leadership Convention Reflections Gallery.
State-level Honorable Mentions honorees receive:
Prizes include: Honorable Mention certificate. Artwork will be showcased at the Florida PTA Leadership Convention Reflections Gallery.
*If a student attends a school that does not sponsor the National PTA Reflections Program, they may join any local PTA/PTSA or the Sunshine State PTA and submit an entry. A selection of entries will then be advanced to the nearest County Council for judging.
**National PTA Reflections winners will be announced May 1st, 2025.
For Reflections Chairs:
- Local Unit Leaders Guide | Spanish
- Entry Form | Spanish
- Form A (Participation)
- Form B – Local Units | Form B – County Councils
- Student Packet Template | Spanish
