Reflections

What is the PTA Reflections program?

“National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them 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. Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (All grades welcome), and submit their completed works of art in one or more of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.”

How to Participate:

*Use the Reflections theme  - think about the theme of the year – this year it’s “I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE” and then create an original piece of art in one or more of the following categories: dance, film, literature, music composition, photography or visual arts. 

*Choose which category (or categories) you want to participate in. Each category has specific rules and guidelines for the piece of work and those can be found on the individual category pages linked in this site. The student must create the work and cannot have help from others. 

*Fill out entry forms. Once the piece is completed, families need to fill out the entry form completely and make sure someone in the family is a registered 2023-2024 PTA member at Cypress. The student needs to complete the Artist’s Statement on the entry form for the piece (a new entry form for each individual submission is required). For the Artist’s Statement the students should explain their inspiration for the work in connection to the theme. Families can help students write the statement on the form but the words and ideas must be the student’s.