NYS PTANew Reflections materials for the 2018-19 school year are coming soon.
Enroll Your PTA
Enroll for Your Free Digital Kit from National PTA!
The 2018-2019 National PTA Reflections Toolkit will provide you with info, tools and resources you need to take your program to the next level. It includes a call for entries poster, 50th anniversary logo and themed images, as well as planning tools, judging resources, celebration ideas and more!
Get Ready for Reflections 2018-2019
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and New York State PTA cultural arts competition that gives students confidence in their abilities to explore ideas and learn through the arts!
The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.
Each year thousands of students in preschool through grade 12 create and submit original works in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Students here in New York participate in Reflections through their school’s PTA. A student may submit an entry in any of six listed arts areas.
The 2018-2019 theme “Heroes Around Me” will spark imagination and creativity in school and at home. At the same time, you can encourage your school to imagine, create and celebrate with Reflections during National Arts & Humanities Month this October.
2017-18 National Reflections Winners
In 2017-18, thousands of students across the country and in US schools overseas contributed their original works to be considered for PTA’s highest honor in the arts, with the theme Within Reach.
It is our privilege to announce the six 2017-18 National PTA Reflections Award Winners from New York:
National PTA Award of Excellence
Hannah Cheeseman from John G. Dinkelmeyer PTA; Photography – Special Artist; Nassau Region
Griffin Hon from Harry B Thompson Middle School PTSA; Film Production – Middle School; Nassau Region
Harshita Shet from Woodlands PTSA; Visual Arts – Middle School; Westchester-East Putnam Region
Letao Tao from Garden City PTA; Film Production – Primary; Nassau Region
National PTA Award of Merit
Keshav Kaushik Gopal from Blind Brook PTA; Music Composition – Primary; Westchester-East Putnam Region
Brianna Martinez from Harrison High School PTA; Photography – High School; Westchester-East Putnam Region
Tess O’Brien from Blind Brook PTA; Literature – High School ; Westchester-East Putnam Region
Lily Tierney from Woodhull School PTA; Literature – Middle School; Suffolk Region
Reflections Program
The National PTA Reflections Program welcomes students of all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Students reflect on a theme, create original works of art and earn positive recognition for their achievements. Any PTA/PTSA held in good standing may take part in Reflections.
Questions: contact reflections@nyspta.org.
2017-18 Reflections Winners – “Within Reach”
Congratulations to all our 2018 Reflections Award of Excellence and Award of Merit winners.
On March 1, 2018, NYS PTA submitted 29 Award of Excellence entries to National PTA for further judging and recognition. At the state level, we also awarded 108 Award of Merit entries.
Thank you to all our regions who participated. Almost every region had at least one Award of Excellence or Award of Merit winner.
Additional Opportunities
Reflections 50th Grant
For 50 years, the National PTA Reflections arts program 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.
The program’s golden year vision is to inspire all students and their families to participate in educational activities and celebratory events. In honor of the program’s milestone and respect to its purpose and vision, National PTA challenges all PTAs to spark creativity and learning fun by hosting Reflections educational activities for all students to participate in and learn through the arts.
Tell us your plans on how you will deliver Reflections educational activities to all children at your school and be considered for a National PTA Reflections Grant! National PTA will honor the commitment of two applicants for their projects that will aim to increase access to high quality arts learning and increase participation in PTA Reflections. 2018 Reflections Grants provide your PTA the opportunity to match National PTA’s Mary Lou Anderson Endowment dollars with that of school and community partners to accomplish arts education projects.
Competitive applications will demonstrate:
- A commitment to delivering proven strategies for increasing access to high quality arts learning experiences—providing new pathways for students to participate in PTA Reflections
- A detailed budget of $1,000 or more for educational resources, materials and/or instruction expenses. A combination of financial and/or in-kind contributors (e.g. PTA, school, and community business) must match the grant award of $1,000. Matching funds are unrestricted and may include in-kind supplies/services.
- Alignment with Reflections theme and efforts to involve the whole school community in activities/events between September 1 and November 1, 2018
