Chair Intro Pack

2011-2012 National Arts Program Theme

“Diversity Means…..”

Contact Information for Questions:

Kirsten Knickrehm

WI State PTA Reflections Chair

WI_Reflections@yahoo.com

2011-2012 National Reflections Art Program

“Diversity Means….”

Welcome to another creative year!

The WI State PTA Reflections Committee has worked very hard to streamline a very exciting and rewarding opportunity for students in schools with PTA – Reflections.

Reflections is a National Art Program designed to inspire and motivate young people to be creative in different pursuits, from literature to photography. During the past few years we have been blessed with some very thought evoking art and beautiful solos. We can only imagine what this year will bring. We hope your school will enjoy this opportunity to showcase student talent in the arts. As part of the National PTA Reflections Art Program your student will be joining over 500,000 students being recognized for their accomplishments.

The rules while seeming to be complex are relatively simple – this is for students to do on their own without adult interference or assistance. (This includes matting, etc.) Please keep in mind, a student may enter 1 item into each category. For instance 1 Visual Art and 1 Photography is allowed, however 2 Visual Arts items are not.

We encourage you to promote the Reflections Program at your school however it works best for you. We can offer ideas on Family Nights – to complete / discuss art projects or a Community Night – hold an Art Show prior to submitting to State for judging. While your school is planning – please consider budgeting to attend the PTA Convention and Reflection Luncheon in April 2012.

The pages that follow contain detailed information from General Guidelines to Individual Category Guidelines – please do not feel overwhelmed.

We hope you enjoy the opportunity of seeing your student's creativity shine through

– hopefully all the way to Nationals! If you have any questions as you follow along please do not hesitate to contact the Reflections Chair or WI State PTA Office directly.

Thank you and Have Fun,

Kirsten Knickrehm

WI State PTA Reflections Chair

WI_Reflections@yahoo.com

What is Reflections?

The National PTA Reflections Art Program encourages students to express their thoughts and feelings through creative arts. Every year a student produced theme is chosen, and children create artwork at home or school to express that theme. Prizes and recognition are offered on state, and national levels and sometimes locally. Students enrolled in a PTA sponsored school from preschool through 12th grade are able to submit art in the categories of visual arts, music composition, photography, literature, dance choreography, and film production.

Participation is open to any student who attends a school that has a PTA – they are not required to be individual members.

HOWEVER – that PTA must be in “Good Standing”.

To be considered “in good standing” the PTA/PTSA must

fulfill the following requirements:

BYLAWS must be current (renewed every 3 years)

MEMBERSHIP DUES received at the State PTA

Office by November 1, 2012

AUDIT SUBMITTED to State PTA Office

Please do not let these reasons be what holds your students back! Be sure to follow up with your PTA Officers to be sure deadlines are being met. Contact the Reflections Chair or WI State PTA Office if you have further questions.

Suggested Time line

August:	Review “Chair Intro Packet”.

Register your school / chairperson online. (Email address required!)

Review and prepare “School Pack” for Students / Teachers.

Review and prepare “Entry Pack” for entries to be submitted.

September:	Announce / promote Reflections Art Program.

-Have a Family Night to discuss / create art.

-Hand out Student / Teacher letters.

-Hand out “Theme Search For Next Year” -deadline is November 1st

Set a deadline for submitting items to your School Reflection Chairperson.

-Allow ample time for reviewing, packaging and mailing entries.

-Must be received no later than January 13, 2012 to State for judging.

October:	Have PTA Officers review Audit, Bylaws and Membership for “good standing”.

November:	Have category sheets ready for students who need new ones.

December:	Students should be finishing their projects, completing their entry forms and	artist statements.

-Recommended to collect items before winter break.

-Showcase art in a community art show.

January:	ALL entries must be received in hand no later than January 13, 2012 to the State judges. - We apologize but late entries will be automatically disqualified so

please adjust according to weather concerns.

February/	Relax.

March:	Wait for the phone to ring announcing State winners at your school.

– if you do not receive a phone call: We apologize.

Please have your Reflections Chair or delegate attend	the annual PTA Convention and Reflections Luncheon to pick up

your PTA’s entries.

(All school entries must be picked up – they will not be mailed.)

- if it does ring: Congratulations.

Start planning on how to send student / parent and	Reflections Chair or delegate to the Annual PTA Convention and	Reflections Luncheon.

(Winning entries can be mailed along with their awards if needed,	this is the only exception.)

April:	Attend the Annual PTA Convention and Reflections Luncheon.

-See great art -Learn great things	-Eat great food	-Meet great people

Each school PTA should try to provide all of the participants with “Participant Awards”, they can be their own creation or purchased from the PTA Store for $1.00 each. Winning entries will receive their Awards / Participation Awards at the Reflections Luncheon held during Convention in April.