MCCPTA Reflections Training

Fall 2011

Presented by Melissa A. McDonald

MCCPTA Reflections Co-Chairs

Chris McDermott Phone: 301-253-9059

E-mail: malimcdermott@verizon.net

Melissa McDonaldPhone: 240-654-4855

E-mail: melissa.lewis.mcdonald@gmail.com

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 Musical Composition Photography Visual Arts Film Production Dance Choreography

In its 42 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.

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. Past themes have included “A Different Kind of Hero”, “If I Could Give the World A Gift…”, “Imagine That…”, “Exploring New Beginnings….”, and “Beauty Is…”.

2011-2012 Reflections theme is:

“Diversity Means…”

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)

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/ReflectionsMCCPTA

Categories

Visual ArtsPhotographyLiteratureDance ChoreographyMusic CompositionFilm Production

Divisions

Primary: Grades preK-2

Intermediate: Grades 3-5

Middle/Junior: Grades 6-8

Senior: Grades 9-12

Ways to implement a Reflections program at your

school: Publicity

Judging

Paperwork

Publicity 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, Listserve, etc.

Hang posters in your school

Reflections Logo

http://www.pta.org/Reflections_StyleGuide.pdf

All documents are available on the MDPTA website and the Yahoo

listserv www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html

and

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/

Customizableflyer is available

for your use!

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

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;

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

New Requirements

Include this important information on cover of the Student Reflections Packet:

Maximum dimensions of artwork

File type and length maximums – DVD /CD entries not recorded in stated format WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

New Requirements, continued

Entry form must be TYPED and signed before turning in to MCCPTA –handwritten forms WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Title and artist statement – REQUIRED

Completed PTA section – REQUIRED

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!

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 11 in Local Arts Chair’ Guide):

Name of Entry

Interpretation of Theme

Artistic Merit/Creativity

Mastery of Medium

Total Points Comments for Student

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 CRITERIAInterpretation of Theme: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork itself and the artist statement. Total points=20Artistic Merit/Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. Total points= 10Mastery of Medium: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area. Total points=10Maximum Total Points = 40

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

If the student’s name in on the front of the artwork, please cover with a post-it note, or something that can be removed without damaging the artwork.

Judging can be done at your school, or you may take the entries to the judge

Thank the Judges…Be sure to thank them!

SKR PTA presents a $25 Border’s gift card to the Literature judge and $25 Michael’s gift card to the Visual Arts and Photography judges.

WLES PTA presents a $5 Borders gift card, or PTA Reflections lapel pin to each judge.

You may also wish to recognize them in your award ceremony program

Official Entry Form The PTA section MUST be completed –

including all of the dates requested. Form must be typed; handwritten form will NOT be accepted; No exceptions.

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.

Please Note! Local PTAs must be in good standing

with Maryland PTA by January 1, 2012 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!

To Be In Good Standing:

Membership Dues must be paid Bylaws must be current Insurance must be paid IRS form 990 must be filed

Copies of each of these forms MUST BE included with your MCCPTA submissions.

Entry Form – MUST HAVES Each submission must have a TYPED signed

entry form (including the PTA section).

Each submission must have a completed parental consent form.

Each submission must have a title and a mandatory artist’s statement.

Each submission must have been packaged and labeled correctly.

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.

Forms & Paperwork

All forms must be completed and included with the artwork moving up to the council level judging. Online forms are available on the MDPTA website under the Reflections tab: http://www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html

and will also be uploaded onto the MCCPTA yahoo group site.

Local unit entries due to MCCPTA office December 14-16,19, 2011.

MCCPTA OFFICE 2096 Gaither Road, Suite 204

Rockville, MD 20850(301) 208-0111

Office Hours: 10am -2pm M-FOffice Manager: Pam Loebach

Entries accepted on these dates only : 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/19

2011Please call ahead before dropping off entries.

Awards and Recognition Ceremonies

Local (school )level – top 3 in each category & division move up to county level

County level- top 3 in each category & division move up to state level

State level: Outstanding Interpretation of Theme Award of Excellence Award of Merit ( similar to honorable mention) Participation Certificates- to all participants

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!!

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)

Examples of Awards

Stickers Medals

Lapel Pins

Example of SKR’s Certificate:

This certificate is awarded to

“I Can Make a Difference by...”

Christopher Wynne, Principal, Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School

Melissa A. McDonald, Reflections Chairperson

Student’s name

In recognition of your 2007-2008 PTA Reflections literature Entry

Certificate of Excellence

Date

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.

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.

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!

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!

Join our Yahoo! Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/

Lots of useful (and important) information is posted there – please join!

Have fun with your program –

the quality of the kids’ work will amaze you!

Questions ??