Welcome to the 2024 - 2025 PTA Reflections Webpage!

 Below is all the information needed for a successful Reflections Program for students and local leaders. This site will be updated regularly with approaching deadlines and any other vital Reflections information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the PTA Chair, Denise Ingallinera, at dingallinera@hackensackschools.org.  

NEW DEADLINE: MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025

All students must submit a signed entry form along with their artwork. Please note that the National PTA will accept typed signatures so digital platforms may be used for entry collection.

• Fillable Student Entry Packet - Includes general program guidelines as well as the abridged category and division-specific guidelines in a PDF

• Student Entry Packet - Includes general program guidelines as well as the abridged category and division-specific guidelines in a Word document

• Fillable Student Entry Form (en español) - Includes only the Student Entry Form in PDF

Should I put my name on my Reflections artwork?

It is strongly recommended that Reflections reviews are blind—where judges only see basic entry information such as the title, artist statement, and, as necessary, the student’s age. As such, the student’s name and/or other identifying information should not be visible on or within the artwork that will be judged. Things to avoid include adding a credit scroll in Film entries, recording introductions in a Music entry recording, and providing a by-line in Literature entries. Student information will be collected through the required Student Entry Form. 

What are your guidelines on using technology and software to create entries?

Digital technology and/or software can be used to develop, enhance and/or present an entry but may not provide the primary design and/or concept. Entrants must briefly describe the tools and method, including any generative elements. Additional state program requirements or exclusions may apply. 

Can a participant submit Reflections artwork created with a friend, teacher and/or adult?

Reflections is here to encourage and recognize individual creativity, so entries must be the creative product of the student artist alone. National PTA will recognize only one student as the award recipient for an entry, and they should be the primary creator of the piece—especially the interpretation of the theme and the execution of the piece. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. 

Can I submit an entry in a language other than English?

Students for whom English is not their first language may submit entries in their own language. However, an interpretive translation in English must accompany the entry. Translators should try to retain the same level of language and accuracy reflected in the student’s original work.

What are your guidelines on copyrighted materials?

The intention of the Reflections program is to encourage and showcase original artwork created by the student in response to the annual theme. Use of copyrighted material, including any copyrighted cartoon characters, copyrighted recorded music or copyrighted photographs, stock images or material downloaded from the internet, is not acceptable, except for the following:

• Entries may include public places, well-known products, trademarks or certain other copyrighted material as long as that copyrighted material is incidental to the subject matter of the piece and/or is a smaller element of a whole. The resulting work cannot try to establish an association between the student and the trademark/business/material or influence the purchase/non-purchase of the trademarked good.

• If background music is used in dance choreography and film production entries, it must be cited on the entry form. Use the Additional Details field to cite the title, composer, performer and/or the library or digital platform used. If certain details are unavailable, include as much general credit as possible to indicate that the materials are not the student's creation.

• Visual arts, photography and film production entries may include portions of existing copyrighted works, such as photographs, magazine or digital media clippings and/or type cut out of a newspaper, as long as those portions of copyrighted works are used to create a completely new and different work of art.

5 Steps to having an AWESOME PTA Reflections Program this YEAR!

Step 1: Getting Started (September)

ARTS in EDUCATION WEEK (Sept. 9th) is the PTA REFLECTIONS KICKOFF WEEK! It's a great week to promote the program through email blasts, morning announcements, and any other way you contact our students & families!

 Step 2: Promote Your Program (September/October)

Please share the link to this site with your students at least twice a week during September and October as a quick reminder to participate in this year's program. 

Our DEADLINE is DECEMBER 6, 2024.

 Step 3: Gathering & Judging (November)

Once all work has been received, it must be sorted, logged, and judged (when necessary). Each local unit can send a certain number of pieces per grade division and category. 

More information about judging will come as we get closer to our deadlines. 

Step 4: Celebrate (TBA)

We will be celebrating all our remarkable Reflections Artwork. Stay tuned for more details.

 Step 5: Advance entries to your Council by DECEMBER 6, 2024

National PTA Reflections Registration is now open!

 Your registration for the Reflections program helps us enhance the reach and impact of the Reflections Program.

 REGISTER TODAY -->

The Local PTA Leader's Guide to Reflections - NJPTA

Local PTA Leader Student Entry Portal Guide Contents