Reflections

2025-26 Arts in Education Chair: Sarah Wilson

artsined@necouncilpta.com

The arts are a vital element of a complete and competitive education. Reflections is a National PTA art recognition program that encourages students of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of creative expression to tell their unique story. It is one of the oldest and largest nationwide programs of its kind, with more than 200,000 students participating annually.

2025-2026 Reflections Theme: I Belong!    

For entry forms and rules in English or Spanish, visit www.txpta.org/reflections-participation. 

Each entry must be the original work of one student and reflect this year’s theme: I Belong! 

Students may participate in one or more of the following categories: 

Arts Categories:

• Visual Arts (2D only)

• Literature

• Photography

• Music Composition

• Dance Choreography

• Film Production

Grade Divisions:

• Primary: Preschool – Grade 2

• Intermediate: Grades 3-5

• Middle School: Grades 6-8

• High School: Grades 9-12

• Accessible Arts (All Grades) – If you believe your entry qualifies for this division, please review the Accessible Arts Guidelines (English) | Spanish.  

Arts in Education Chair Checklist:

1. As Soon As Possible: Promote the theme – www.txpta.org/reflections-promotion. Distribute a 2 sided introductory letter and rules in your welcome packets. Distribute entry forms to participating teachers and students – www.txpta.org/reflections-participation. – www.txpta.org/reflections-participation.

2. Attend Council Reflections Workshops August 21, 2025 at 12 PM and September 18, 2025 at 11 AM. See the August presentation here if you missed it.

3. October 24, 2025: Suggested Local PTA Due Date for Entries

4. Late October/Early November: Host your local judging and advance the top 20% of each arts category for each grade division to the next level of judging. Judging guidelines and other resources: Reflections Judging Guidelines

5. November 13, 2025 - Entries advancing to Council due: DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS ONLY.

6. December – February: Recognize the students who participated at your campus and introduce the next theme.

7. January: Council results released. Inform the board, including the principal, of how students did. Share the date of Council Awards with your principal and only those students who earned a Council award (not including Participation Award).

8. February: Invitations to Council Reflections Award Ceremony ponied to PTA presidents

9. March 24, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Council Reflections Award Ceremony.

10. May: Continue to promote the theme for next year. It can be a summer project!

Sample Plans of Work for Arts in Education Chairs

Here is a sample Plan of Work for a PTA with a small Arts in Ed. budget of $150. This is fine for a fewer number of kids but may need to be supplemented with donations if you have more kids involved. Note the Arts in Ed. action step outside of the Reflections program is listed - promoting a free art engagement activity.

Here is a sample Arts in Ed. Plan of Work for a larger budget of $305. This is what you might expect to spend with about 100 or so students participating and few donations. More students, better awards, or more arts activities, like an art night, should increase your Art in Ed. budget.

Links and Forms

http://www.txpta.org/reflections

TX PTA Arts in Education training can be found here.

The Reflections theme for the 2022-2023 was Show Your Voice.

The Reflections theme for the 2021-2022 was I Will Change the World By...

The Reflections theme for the 2020-2021 was I Matter Because...

Click here for the 2020-2021 NE Council Reflection Awards spreadsheet