Search Results for: pta awards

California State PTA Officers and Commissions

The seven commissions can be classified into two groups: (1) those dealing primarily with internal, organizational matters: special events, leadership services, membership services, and communications; and (2) those dealing with external issues in which PTA has a vital interest: health & community concerns, education, and family engagement.

The commissions are chaired by vice presidents elected biennially by the PTA membership at the annual convention in odd-numbered years. Commissioners are appointed members who serve during the administration. The treasurer serves on the leadership services commission.

California State PTA constantly assesses children’s needs to determine where and how PTA action should be initiated or intensified. State resolutions, letters, and results of studies from unit, council, and district PTAs as well as National PTA programs and priorities provide direction to the California State PTA Board of Managers. Each commission develops its plan of action based on the goals and priorities of the association.

The work of the commissions is facilitated through special committee studies and cooperation with statewide allied groups, agencies, and coalitions whose goals are similar to PTAs. Each commission is responsible for providing leadership and education to unit, council, and district PTAs to help implement the projects and activities that fall within its area of concern. Through PTA in California, the website – capta.org – and other avenues of communication, unit, council, and district PTAs are kept informed of current projects, the progress of studies, and the initiation of new projects.

Communications Commission

The Communications Commission is responsible for internal and external California State PTA publicity. Its work includes news releases and news conferences; radio and TV appearances by California State PTA Board of Managers members; website maintenance (capta.org); social media outreach; and development, design, and publication of print and digital communications including PTA in California, PTA Connects, and SMARTS. It is responsible for concerns related to mass media and their effects on children, youth, and families.

Health and Community Concerns Commission

The Health and Community Concerns Commission deals with issues related to the support of the whole child within the home, school and community. Topics in this area address the health and welfare of children and their families such as:

Bullying prevention
School and Community Safety
Tobacco and Substance Abuse Prevention
Chronic Absence and Truancy
Mental, personal and community health issues
Homeless and Foster Youth

The Commission supports collaborations among parents, schools, communities, institutions, agencies and organizations, which are essential to the health, wellbeing and academic success of California’s children and youth.

Special Events Commission

The Special Events Commission plans, implements and evaluates facilities, vendors, security, transportation and operations of special training events for California State PTA including convention/annual meeting, regional trainings and more.

Education Commission

The Education Commission focuses on policies, pending legislation and education trends affecting public education. Education commissioners represent California State PTA on numerous statewide coalitions and committees to bring the parent perspective to policymakers and the public. The commission provides tools and information to actively engage PTAs throughout California in local and statewide efforts to ensure that every child has the opportunity for an excellent education.

Leadership Services Commission

The Leadership Services Commission is responsible for strengthening and extending the work of PTA. Its activities include providing opportunities for leadership development and training to unit, council, and district PTAs; giving guidance in strengthening, organizing, reorganizing, and disbanding unit, council, and district PTAs; and generally augmenting the influence and public understanding of PTA, its purpose, and work.

Legislation Team

The Legislation Team includes the director of legislation, an advocate for federal issues, and state legislative advocates who specialize in specific issues regarding education, family engagement, community concerns, and health as these affect children, youth and families.

The team works closely with the commissions dealing with external issues. The commissions are responsible for preparing background information and authority for bills in their subject matter area and for recommending appropriate action. Once a position has been adopted, the legislation team is responsible for all further actions on related legislation. This includes relaying information on PTA positions to legislators and communicating PTA action on legislation-related matters to the constituent organizations of California State PTA.

Membership Services Commission

The Membership Services Commission promotes the value of PTA in membership recruitment and retention strategies including marketing outreach and implementation of PTA programs such as National PTA Reflections Art Program, Founders Day, scholarships and grants, awards and more.

Family Engagement Commission

The Family Engagement Commission acknowledges parents as the first teachers of their child and realizes the integral role that parents play in the total development of the child.

The commission supports parents/guardians and family caregivers by strengthening/teaching parenting skills and encouraging involvement in schools and at home, supporting the understanding of childhood development stages, providing resource materials and networking with agencies and groups that focus on parent involvement.

Student State Board Members

Student State Board Members serve as commissioners on the California State PTA Board of Managers. Student Commissioners are members of the Student Involvement Committee, assigned to a commission and included in the planning and presentation of student involvement workshops. Involving youth on the California State PTA Board of Managers is part of California State PTA’s commitment to training students as community leaders and advocates by giving students a voice and working with them on their concerns. For information on applying to become a student state board member, contact your district PTA president or go to the Student Involvement web page at capta.org (Involving Students).

Service to Unit, Council, and District PTAs
California State PTA Brief Statements on Current Issues

Figure
Organizational Flow Chart

The Basics of PTA Membership

While membership is the responsibility of the entire PTA board, each PTA should have a designated membership leader. Membership chairmen are appointed; membership vice presidents are elected. For details on the responsibilities of the Membership chairman/vice president at a unit PTA, see “Job Description for Membership Chairman/Vice President” in the PTA Toolkit.

The membership chairman/vice president works with a membership committee and serves as chairman. The membership committee consists of members appointed by the president, or the president-elect if the committee is formed before the school year begins. Committee members should include teachers and students, if appropriate, and should represent your school population. Under the direction of the membership chairman/vice president, the membership committee:

sets membership goals,
designs a membership marketing plan with outreach promotions,
calendars events and activities throughout the school year,
submits a budget to support the membership program, and
implements and evaluates the final plan.

The membership plan must be approved by the executive board.

Develop a Membership Marketing Plan

Set membership goals.

Plan a membership promotion campaign that uses a variety of methods and outreach activities to promote the value of PTA membership. Go to the California State PTA website, capta.org and the National PTA website, pta.org, for membership campaign ideas, resources and current membership incentives and award programs.

Your membership plan should include a theme, if appropriate, a membership calendar and a membership budget.

Membership Theme

Create a membership theme for your membership campaign, if appropriate. Choosing just the right theme for your PTA can make a big difference in your membership growth for the year. The membership committee, the membership chairman/vice president and the president should work together to develop the membership theme.

For theme ideas, go to capta.org.

PTAs may select the current California State PTA or National PTA theme.
The school mascot or a community symbol can serve as inspiration.
The theme should appeal to everyone your PTA is trying to reach.
Consider using theme-related incentives and rewards to promote membership growth.

Membership Calendar and Budget

Membership promotion is year round and should include a membership kick-off and a mid-year membership push. Work with the president and the principal to calendar membership events and promotions. Include due dates set by council and district PTAs for membership dues remittances, and for awards and incentives. PTA/PTSAs using the electronic membership system that remits directly to other PTA levels do not remit per capita dues for those members.

California’s membership year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

Prepare a membership budget to submit to your executive board. Include a list of expenses for membership promotions, incentives, and events for the entire year. If your PTA uses California State PTA membership envelopes, the budget should also include the cost of envelopes purchased.

Implementing a Membership Marketing Plan

It is the responsibility of the membership chairman/vice president and the membership committee to implement your membership marketing plan. Responsibilities should be shared by membership committee members. Duties could include:

preparing invitation letters or the Customizable Membership Marketing Tool Instructions flier and envelopes for first day packets or school registrations;
writing/preparing an invitation to join with the e-membership link;
preparing invitations to join for teachers, staff and administrators;
sharing responsibilities at membership kick-off or promotional events;
preparing promotional fliers, banners, posters, social media postings, etc.;
sending invitation to join with e-membership link to all past members.
asking the school site administrator to send invitation to join PTA (including e-membership link) to the all family/guardian list
tracking membership progress for incentive rewards;
staffing a membership promotion booth or table at school or community events;
writing/preparing special invitations to community leaders, local business leaders, elected officials, community members, after school program providers, past PTA leaders, past Honorary Service Award recipients, retired teachers, administrators or staff members. Invite everyone to join PTA!
creating welcome packets for new arrivals at your school;
preparing/printing “Join PTA” signs that include the QR code for e-membership;
create a bulletin board highlighting PTA/PTSA activities and include a join link/QR code
developing a plan/calendar to staff membership tables at PTA events;
developing a plan/calendar to talk to key school and community groups.

Membership Envelopes

Membership envelopes are available for purchase from your council or district PTA for a nominal fee. They can be used to encourage membership participation. Envelopes can be included in welcome or registration packets and can be used to collect relevant information about members. Two board members need to be present when the membership envelopes are opened. Proper PTA financial procedures should always be followed.

Membership Dues

Membership is effective as soon as dues are paid although certain rights may not activate until thirty days after dues are paid, such as the right to make motions, debate, hold an elected office, and vote. A portion of the membership dues collected stays in your unit. Membership campaigns are not to be considered fundraisers. Dues should be kept affordable so that everyone can join.

A portion of the membership dues collected stays in your unit, and a portion of the membership dues (known as per capita) is sent through channels to the council, district, state and National PTA. These pass-through monies are used to support those levels of PTA which, in return, support the unit with leadership, training, advocacy and other needed services. The e-membership system automatically remits the appropriate per capita dues to all PTA levels for memberships purchased through the system.

Membership dues may differ in amount in each PTA and are listed in the local unit PTA bylaws. Dues amounts can only be changed by updating the unit bylaws and submitting them through channels for approval by the California State PTA parliamentarian. A unit-initiated dues increase will not go into effect until the association’s bylaws have been updated and adopted by the membership.

The dues portion not belonging to the unit (per capita) must be forwarded through channels at least monthly. Once dues have been forwarded through channels, dues cannot be refunded to an individual member. To remain in good standing, a unit must remit per capita membership and insurance premiums. The district PTA will be notified if a unit is “not in good standing” by the California State PTA office by December 15 if dues for at least 15 memberships have not been received. If dues are not received by March 31, the unit is delinquent and the unit’s charter shall be withdrawn by vote of the California State PTA Board of Managers at its April/May meeting.

Donations can be solicited, but must be kept separate from membership dues in all financial records and reports.

Members join at the unit PTA. As unit PTA members, they are also members of their council, district, California State PTA and National PTA, and are represented at these levels of PTA.

Membership Cards

Membership cards are provided by California State PTA and distributed through PTA channels (units receive them from their council, if in council or their district PTAs). Each member should receive an official membership card from the unit PTA upon payment of dues. Members who join using the electronic membership system authorized by the California State PTA will receive electronic membership cards upon joining, so the unit will not need to provide them with paper membership cards.

Membership information is filled in on the card before the membership card is distributed. The National PTA unit number is used as the Unit ID number on the membership card. Membership information can be printed on the card using a computer printer; a membership card template is available at capta.org. Information can also be printed by hand or stamped onto the membership cards. Electronic membership cards are now available from district PTAs. These electronic cards which contain the unit’s ID number and member’s name, may be saved on the members’ Smart phone or tablet, and serve as proof of membership.

The California State PTA membership year is July 1 to June 30. Membership cards in California expire on October 31, allowing a grace period (from July 1 to October 31) for our members to renew their membership. During this grace period, members are entitled to their full membership rights, including approval of the PTA budget and program at the summer or fall association meetings.

As each PTA is a separate and individual association, members having children in more than one school may pay dues to support the PTA in each child’s school.

Member Contact Information and Membership List

A membership list must be created and maintained by the membership chairman/vice president. A regularly updated copy should be provided to the secretary and the president. The list should include member name, contact information and the date the member joined. Lists should be kept confidential within the PTA organization. PTA recommends that membership lists be kept for 3 years in the event of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service.

Memberships

Any individual who subscribes to the purposes and basic policies of PTA becomes a member upon payment of dues to a PTA or PTSA unit. The rule of thumb is one dues payment=one card=one association vote.

Student Membership

Student membership is a vital part of the association. Membership is open to students of all ages. Please see Involving Students for additional information.

If a PTA unit chooses to include a different membership dues structure for students, the bylaws must reflect this structure. The student membership dues must be at least equal to the portion of dues which is forwarded to council, district, state and National PTA.

Administrators/Teacher/Staff Memberships

Administrators, teachers and staff members are valuable members of the association. They should be invited and encouraged to join and participate. A PTA unit can choose to include a teacher/staff membership dues structure. If they do bylaws must reflect that dues structure, and it must be at least equal to the portion of dues which is forwarded to council, district, state and National PTA.

Family Memberships

If a PTA unit chooses to include a family membership dues structure, the bylaws must reflect this structure. The number of members per family must specified, and the dues paid per member should be at least equal to the portion of dues forwarded to council, district, state and National PTA. Please consult with your district parliamentarian for specific language regarding family memberships.

Charter Memberships

Charter members of a PTA are those who pay dues at the organizational meeting of a new PTA. Charter members at an organizational meeting held between April 1 and June 30 are considered members for the following year and are entitled to a new membership card without payment of dues. For more information about Charter Memberships, please contact your local PTA district.

Reflections Program

AWARD

Honorary Service Award Order Form for Honorary Service, Continuing Service, Golden Oak, Very Special Person
Honorary Service Award Nomination Form
In Memoriam or Tribute Donation
PTA Unit/Council Spotlight Award

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Grant Application and Report for Unit, Council and District PTAs – Cultural Arts, Healthy Lifestyles, Leadership Development, Outreach Translation or Parent Education
Continuing Education Scholarship for School Staff Members (Scholarship)
PTA Volunteers (Scholarship)
Graduating High School Seniors (Scholarship)

BROCHURES

Partners in Education Series
…The School Board and PTA
…The Site Administrator and PTA
…The Superintendent and PTA
…The Teacher and PTA
Professional Governance Standards
PTA Style Guide

Resources and Subscriptions

Check out our resources on the California State PTA website: capta.org

Website: capta.org
Provides up-to-date information on PTA programs and policies with how-tos for running your PTA.

PTA in California
Official magazine of California State PTA with a wealth of news and information for PTA members.

PTA Connects
Monthly e-newsletter sent by email to PTA members and leaders.

Membership Monday
Each Monday from mid-July through October, be on the lookout for “Membership Monday.” This special newsletter will be sent to all unit, council and district membership chairs, communications officers and presidents.

Leadership Made Easy Mailing
Contains ideas for running your PTA with tips and how-tos to boost membership, leadership, programs and family engagement. Provides updated resources for PTA finance, bylaws, scholarships, grants and awards, children’s issues, communications and more.

Financial (Insurance) Mailing
Annual mailing sent to PTA leaders containing the Insurance and Loss Prevention Guide, annual insurance premium notice and other California State PTA resources and materials.

Convention Mailing
Annual California State PTA Convention e-publications sent by email to PTA leaders and members. Contain convention registration and workshop information with attendance requirements, forms and directions. Provide overviews of convention activities, speakers and the agenda for handling the organization’s business at convention.

Running Your PTA Made Easy
Brief 24-page guide with tips and encouragement for PTA leaders. Available in English and Spanish.

Sign up for FREE online publications

Scholarships

Funds for the scholarship program to further various kinds of higher education are approved annually by California State PTA.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors to commend extensive volunteer service in the school and community. Scholarships are for use during the first year, following high school graduation.

Scholarship awards also are available to credentialed teachers, counselors, and school nurses for advanced study, and to PTA volunteers with at least three years of PTA service to continue their education.

Applications are available online.

Scholarships and Grants Committee:

Recommends necessary policies
Administers the current scholarship and grant program
Reviews each scholarship and grant project
Selects scholarship and grant recipients
Recommends, to the California State PTA Board of Managers for adoption, amendments to the scholarship and grant program for the following year

Absentees and Dropouts

There are serious truancy and school dropout problems in California. This issue affects students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Truants and dropouts are prone to committing offenses associated with juvenile delinquency and put themselves at risk physically. Keeping children in school through graduation is a proven method for developing productive and successful adults.

Role of the PTA

PTA believes that all children and youth should have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. Therefore, PTA supports programs that encourage regular school attendance.

Recommended Actions

Become familiar with California State PTA convention resolution, School Absenteeism/Dropouts (1986) (Where We Stand, Convention and Board of Managers Resolutions; California State PTA Resolutions Book, www.capta.org). See “Attendance” in the Advocacy Topic Index for related position statements or guidelines.

Support county and/or local School Attendance Review Board (SARB). If one does not exist, support the creation of a SARB.

Encourage daily attendance awards and incentive programs in grades K-12.

Educate parents, students and the community about the seriousness of the problem, and point out that existing California laws mandate that minors between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age must participate in an approved education program.

Reach out to the private sector and allied agencies for participation and support of programs encouraging school attendance.

In cooperation with school personnel, seek assistance from the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Cadre, a trained cadre of educators and officials from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies that assist in building an interagency approach to improving order and attendance, reducing school violence/vandalism, reducing truancy, and encouraging good citizenship.

Support school district alternative educational programs.

Encourage school districts to incorporate self-esteem programs into the curriculum.

Encourage the use of peer counseling.

Additional Resources

School/Law Enforcement Partnership Cadre can provide information. Contact California Attorney General’s Crime and Violence Prevention Center, 916.324.7863, or California Department of Education’s Safe Schools and Violence Prevention Office, 916.323.2183.

California Youth Authority. The Prevention of Truancy (1986), a narrative report on successful truancy prevention programs.

California Department of Education. School Attendance Review Boards Handbook (2002). Available online at the Safe Schools and Violence Prevention Office (http://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/stuServe/SARB/StateSARBHandbook.pdf) or through the Bureau of Publications, Sales Unit, 916.445.1260.

National School Safety Center. Increasing Student Attendance (1994). Available online at www.schoolsafety.us or by calling 805.373.9977.

U.S. Department of Education. Manual to Combat Truancy (1996). Available online at www.eric.ed.gov, or call 877-433-7827; see www.ed.gov.

Bureau of At-Risk Youth. School Attendance, Truancy and Dropping Out (1998), available by calling 800.99.YOUTH.

Local Agencies to Contact for Assistance:
County Office of Education
County Juvenile Justice Commission and/or County Delinquency Prevention Commission
County School Attendance Review Board (SARB)
County Probation Department, Truancy Mediation Program
County Welfare Department, CalWorks Program
County District Attorney, Truancy Mediation Program

See “Attendance” in the Advocacy Topic Index for related resolutions and guidelines.

Reflections Program

Artwork by D. Chang

Revised January 2010 – Programs and Member Services

ReflectionsLogo

Program Theme
2023-2024 “I am Hopeful Because . . .”

The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.

The Reflections Program was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson. Since that time, more than 10 million students have participated in the program. The program’s longevity and participation figures attest to its strength. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools and communities is unmatched.

Participation and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program’s goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a “contest” format, winning should not be the emphasis. Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.

Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on state and local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art. The six arts areas are as follows.

Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Film Production

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by school grade. Student works are critiqued with others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The five grade divisions are as follows:

Primary – Preschool – Grade 2 or up to age 7
Intermediate – Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10
Middle School – Grades 6-8 or ages 11-13
High School – Grades 9-12 or ages 14+
Special Artist – Ungraded

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local unit, council, district, state and national PTA levels. Entries are first judged at the local unit level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level depending on each state PTA structure. Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select entries to submit to the National PTA. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and are displayed as part of the program’s traveling exhibit.

Participation in the California Reflections Program is open to all students in attendance at PTA/PTSA schools where the program is sponsored. Entries are forwarded through channels. Each unit, council and district PTA establishes its own due dates, allowing adequate time for displaying and judging of entries. PTA units should require due dates from their council and district PTA. Only district PTAs may submit entries to California State PTA.

Please remember that:

Students may submit entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing.
All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the annual Reflections Program theme.
Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents or friends is not permitted, except in special cases (such as for those with visual or physical disabilities).
Participation encourages creativity and exploration. Students should do their best, but crooked lines, incorrect
musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone.

Future Reflections Program Theme

The National PTA is looking for a theme for its next Reflections Program. A student’s suggestion(s) for the theme ideas may be sent to the state office by the individual student or by a local PTA/PTSA. The theme may include a wide variety of subjects that will appeal to students in preschool through grade 12. The winning student will receive $100.00 and recognition at the National PTA Convention held in June. See capta.org for more information.

Responsibility

Become familiar with the materials on the California State PTA website at capta.org, the National PTA website at pta.org, and the Reflections Packet sent to presidents in the service mailing.
Develop a Reflections Program planning calendar using council and district PTA due dates; identify key steps to meet calendar due dates. (Note that this program runs early in the school year for local units; therefore the chairman may have to work around athletic events when planning the calendar.)
Submit a Reflections Program budget to the budget committee for approval.
Explain the Reflections Program to the principal and school staff; encourage their support and participation. Inform parents and community members. Share information about the Reflections Program at a PTA/PTSA meeting, share examples of last year’s entries and have current entry forms and rules for distribution.
Publicize the Reflections Program, theme and due dates in the school or PTA/PTSA newsletter. The local newspaper or cable TV station also could be contacted for publicity.
Select impartial, qualified judges. Inform judges of the criteria to be used in evaluating/judging Reflections Program entries. (Refer to the rules for each art category.) Remember to accept the judges’ selections of winning entries. Offer sample judging rubric:

Interpretation of Theme: 5 points
Artistic Merit/Creativity: 3 points
Mastery of Medium: 2 points

IMPORTANT: Do not show student information (name, address, etc.) on entries displayed for judging.

Suggestions for recruiting judges: ask local newspaper or magazine editors, local authors, music instructors, professional photographers, local artists, next-level teachers or professors in respective area, dance studio professionals, professional videographers, film school professors.
Follow guidelines from council and district PTA regarding the number of entries that may be submitted. Adhere to council and district PTA due dates!
Make certain each entry meets all judging criteria with regard to size, mounting, etc.
Be sure the Official Entry Form (found in Reflections Packet sent to each unit president in the service mailing sent in summer) is completely filled out, signed by both student and parent, and attached securely to each entry, according to the National PTA rules.
Complete and send Participation Form A (found in Reflections Packet sent to each unit president in the service mailing sent in summer) with entries, according to National PTA rules.
Keep a copy of all Official Entry Forms and Participation Form A.
Keep a copy of all CDs and DVDs.
After the program, give each participant a certificate of participation.
Return entries to students whose work was not selected for the next level of judging.
Update the Reflections Program procedure book.
Announce the new Reflections Program theme as soon as it is available. The theme is announced at the annual California State PTA convention.
Publicize any awards given to local students at other levels of judging.

Please share the Reflections Packet (sent in each summer service mailing from the California State PTA office) with the current Reflections Chairman.

Important: Do not show student information (name, address, etc.) on entries displayed for judging.

Reflections Program pins, medals, certificates and stickers are available from the PTA Store, capta.org.

Suggestions for judges: local newspaper or magazine editors, local authors, music instructors, professional photographers, local artists, next-level teachers or professors in respective area, dance studio professionals, professional videographers, film school professors

Recommended Activities

Hold a Reflections Program workshop or a Family Arts Night on Saturdays, after school or at lunch and provide supplies for students to work on their projects.
Enlist support of local businesses for supplies, awards and display of Reflections Program entries.
Ask stores in the area to print student artwork on their bags.
Inquire with local businesses that print calendars about possible use of student artwork.
Plan a local traveling art show.
Print a Reflections Program Awards booklet listing the program participants as well as the award recipients. Acknowledge those who supported the program including parents, staff and community members.
Display local entries in school (e.g., hallways, display case, library); at PTA functions; in local community buildings (e.g., libraries, museums, banks, hospitals, nursing homes).
Publish student entries in a special Reflections Program booklet or calendar. Award it to Reflections Program participants, give as a gift or present as a thank you to judges, teachers and volunteers.
Tape musical compositions and play them at PTA functions and school events. Give a copy to a local radio station to play.
Organize a special program/reception/assembly where Reflections Program photography and visual arts entries can be displayed, musical composition entries performed, literature entries read aloud, and dance choreography and film/video production entries shown.
Make all Reflections Program entrants feel special. Consider awarding students with certificates, ribbons, medallions, buttons, plaques, trophies, art supplies, film, music supplies, dance performance tickets, DVDs, gift certificates, books and bookmarks. Send congratulatory letters to students.

Additional Resources

National PTA Reflections Packet mailed to unit, council and district PTA presidents during the summer
National PTA website
California PTA website

For additional information, contact the California State PTA Reflections Program Coordinator at reflections@capta.org or 916.440.1985 ext.329.

Volunteer Appreciation

A simple and appropriate way to thank volunteers for their time and effort supporting the PTA is to plan and budget for a volunteer appreciation event near the end of the school year. Invite all volunteers who helped with PTA activities and programs during the year. The PTA may present each volunteer with a certificate of recognition. If the PTA wishes to reward volunteers with personal gifts, the association may vote to do so and seek out donations to cover those items. Alternatively, officers or other members may make donations to pay for such items.

The PTA may also wish to consider recognizing volunteers through the California State PTA Honorary Service Award Program.

Personal gifts or gifts for individuals, such as PTA members or school staff, cannot be purchased with PTA funds.

Job Description for Reflections Program

Download the Reflections Program Job Description

The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.

Participation in and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program’s goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a “contest” format, winning should not be the emphasis. Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.

Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Film Production

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by school grade. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artwork by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The five grade divisions are as follows:

Primary – Preschool – Grade 2 or up to age 7
Intermediate – Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10
Middle School – Grades 6-8 or ages 11-13
High School – Grades 9-12 or ages 14+
Special Artist – Ungraded

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local unit, council, district PTA, state and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local unit level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level, depending on each state PTA structure. Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select entries to submit to the National PTA. Award of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and are displayed as part of the program’s traveling exhibit.

Participation in the California Reflections Program is open to all students in attendance at PTA schools where the program is sponsored. Entries are forwarded through channels. Each unit, council and district PTA establishes its own due dates, allowing adequate time for displaying and judging of entries. Units should acquire due dates from their council and district PTA. Only district PTAs may submit entries to California State PTA.

Please remember that:

Students may submit entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing.
All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the annual Reflections Program theme.
Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents or friends is not permitted, except in special cases (such as for those with visual or physical disabilities).
Participation encourages creativity and exploration. Students should do their best, but crooked lines, incorrect musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone.

Future Reflections Program Theme

The National PTA is looking for a theme for its next Reflections Program. A student’s suggestion(s) for the theme ideas may be sent to the state office by the individual student or by a local PTA. The theme may include a wide variety of subjects that will appeal to students in preschool through grade 12. The winning student will receive $100 and recognition at the National PTA Convention held in June. See capta.org for more information.

Responsibility

Become familiar with the materials on the California State PTA website at capta.org, the National PTA website at pta.org and the Reflections Packet sent to presidents in the service mailing.
Develop a Reflections Program planning calendar using council and district PTA due dates; identify key steps to meet the calendar due dates. (Note that this program runs early in the school year for local units; therefore athletic events may need to be taken into consideration when planning the calendar.)
Submit a Reflections Program budget to the budget committee for approval.
Explain the Reflections Program to the principal and school staff; encourage their support and participation. Inform parents and community members. Share information about the Reflections Program at a PTA meeting, share examples of last year’s entries and have current entry forms and rules available for distribution.
Publicize the Reflections Program, theme and due dates in the school or PTA newsletter. The local newspaper or cable TV station also could be contacted for publicity.
Select impartial, qualified judges. Inform judges of the criteria to be used in evaluating/judging Reflections Program entries. (Refer to the rules for each art category.) Remember to accept the judges’ selections of winning entries.

Offer sample judging rubric:

Interpretation of Theme: 5 points
Artistic Merit/Creativity: 3 points
Mastery of Medium: 2 points

IMPORTANT: Do not show student information (name, address, etc.) on entries displayed for judging.

Follow guidelines from council and district PTA regarding the number of entries that may be submitted. Adhere to council and district PTA due dates!
Make certain each entry meets all judging criteria with regard to size, mounting, etc.
Be sure the Official Entry Form (Reflections Program Packet, Service Mailing; capta.org) is completely filled out, signed by both student and parent, and attached securely to each entry, according to the National PTA rules.
Complete and send Participation Form A (Reflections Program Packet, Service Mailing; capta.org) with entries, according to National PTA rules.
Keep a copy of all Official Entry Forms and Participation Form A.
Keep a copy of all CDs and DVDs.
After the program, give each participant a certificate of participation.
Return entries to students whose work was not selected for the next level of judging.
Update the Reflections Program procedure book.
Announce the new Reflections Program theme as soon as it is available. The theme is announced at the annual California State PTA convention.
Publicize any awards given to local students at other levels of judging.

Recommended Activities

Hold a Reflections Program workshop or a Family Arts Night on Saturday, after school or at lunch for students to work on their projects, and provide supplies.
Enlist support of local businesses for supplies and awards and to display Reflections Program entries.
Ask stores in the area to print student artwork on their bags.
Inquire with local businesses that print calendars about possible use of student artwork.
Plan a local traveling art show.
Print a Reflections Program Awards booklet, listing the program participants as well as the award recipients. Acknowledge those who supported the program, including parents, staff and community members.
Display local entries in school (e.g., hallways, display case, library), at PTA functions, in local community buildings (e.g., libraries, museums, banks, hospitals, nursing homes).
Publish student entries in a special Reflections Program booklet or calendar, award it to Reflections Program participants and give as a gift or as a thank you to judges, teachers and volunteers.
Tape musical compositions, and play them at PTA functions and school events. Give a copy to a local radio station to play.
Organize a special program/reception/assembly where Reflections Program photography and visual arts entries can be displayed, musical composition entries can be performed and literature entries read aloud.
Make all Reflections Program entrants feel special. Consider awarding students with certificates, ribbons, medallions, buttons, plaques, trophies, art supplies, film, music supplies, gift certificates, books and bookmarks. Send congratulatory letters to students.

Additional Resources

National PTA Reflections Packet mailed to unit, council and district PTA presidents in the service mailing sent in the summer.
National PTA website, pta.org
California PTA website, capta.org
Insurance and Loss Prevention Guide (English and Spanish), mailed annually to PTA presidents

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