Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students pre-K through grade 12

• explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas 

• develop artistic literacy by describing how their art relates to a theme

• increase confidence 

• find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life 

Students create original works of art in response to a theme. The theme for 2024–25 is “Accepting Imperfection.”  Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. 

SCPTSA will be accepting entries in all categories—Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video, and Choreography/Dance. Your school can choose to only accept works from certain categories. Each school can submit up to 12 entries, plus 6 accessible artist entries. 

If your PTA is in District 7 or at a Title 1 school and you would like support to bring the Reflections program to your school, please reach out to reflections_chair@scptsa.org.

SCPTSA has a limited amount of arts grants of up to $400 available.

SCPTSA hoping to coordinate 2-3 in-person community events in November to support Reflections throughout the district. If your PTA would like to host a community meetup, or if you would like to support SCPTSA as a Reflections committee member, please reach out to reflections_chair@scptsa.org.

Washington State PTA will hold Reflections Leader/Chair TrainingsSept 25 and Oct 6.

Even if you are not sure about participating, if you are interested at all we encourage you to register your program with National PTA.

First Step: Register with National PTA
Second Step: Register with Seattle Council PTSA

Share this opportunity with your school community by distributing flyers, hanging posters, sharing in school newsletters, and posting on social media. See attached graphics and templates. Be sure to update these files with your school contact info and deadlines.  

Logos and PTA Branded content can be found here

Due date for entries to SCPTSA has been changed to Monday, December 2 We will have local drop off information if you are submitting physical entries and digitized.

All artwork must be received digitally by Monday, December 2. If you need to make alternate arrangements—we can meet you where you are at—please contact PTA Reflections Coordinator June Nho Ivers at 323-397-9321 or reflections_chair@scptsa.org

A sample timeline for your program might be:

Upcoming training dates and deadlines

September & October

• Share general Reflections info with your school community through email, kidmail, newsletters, and social media. Promtional Assets can be accessed here, under LOGOS. 

• Sept 25 eve -local leader training (will be recorded) https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1NJw0lHpT8uTWogt_JwLAQ

• Oct 5 morning-local leader training https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-yorTIoGtKTuumr8ATmT2vs7JiwygBi

November

• Nov 4 Theme Search entries due. Students submit directly via AMS. Just need PTAs and Councils to advertise. Info found on Reflections overview page https://www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/reflections/

• In School or Community Reflections Events

• Last Week of November : Choose entries for submission to SCPTSA. Note: you will need to judge entries if you receive more than 12 at your school.  

December

• December 2, 2024 : Submit up to 12 entries and 6 Accessible Artists to SCPTSA through the online form.  If you need to submit earlier due to Thanksgiving Break, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

November / December 2024 to January 2025 —Recognize your student artists at your school with a display or event

February 2025 - SCPTSA in-person celebration Location TBD

Schools can distribute PDF or paper forms. Please fill out your PTA's information on the form before distributing to your school community.  Or use this digital google form.

Please register your Reflections PTSA - you can request access to our SCPTSA Google Drive for electronic submissions. 

Looking for a low barrier way of introducing Reflections to your school community? Each year, National PTA seeks a theme for the Reflections program year to be held two years from now.  The student submitting the winning entry receives $100 and their theme is presented at the annual National PTA Convention.  Check out this list of past themes.

WSPTA holds an annual contest to determine Washington’s entries to the national theme search. Only students that attend a school with an active PTA/PTSA may participate in the theme search contest. The deadline for the 2026-2027 WSPTA Reflections Theme Search Contest is Monday, November 4, 2024. Apply online now!

Need help navigating the application? Here's a 5-minute video that walks through the process.

Visit the WSPTA website and Reflections Program for Leaders web page for additional details about this year's program, including a training video and handbook for local leaders. You can also connect with other Reflections leaders through the WSPTA Reflections - Leaders & Friends Facebook group.   

For over 50 years, the National PTA Reflections arts program has furthered the goals of the program founder, Mary Lou Anderson. Mary Lou Anderson believed in the power and importance of the arts and dreamed that Reflections would leave a lasting impact on children across the country – and it has! Reflections 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.

National PTA is proud to continue Mary Lou Anderson's legacy of Reflections through the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant. Through this grant opportunity, two local PTAs will be awarded $1250 to administer innovative, student-centered programs that increase access to high quality arts learning experiences and new pathways for students to participate in National PTA’s Reflections program.

The 2024 grant opportunities closed on October 1, 2024.