Henry M. Jackson PTSA
Welcome to the homepage of Henry M. Jackson PTSA (7.3.95), Mill Creek, WA



Reflections

2011-2012 Theme: "Diversity Means..."


Reflections is a National PTA and a Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose for this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their original works, created around a specific theme. You are encouraged to start working on your entry in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts Finished entries should be turned into the main office on or before November 4, by 2:00 p.m. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form. Please be sure you have read the rules and comply with them, so that your entry is not disqualified. Winning Everett Council entries will continue on to Washington State PTA competition with the opportunity to advance to the National PTA Reflections competition. Make sure to submit your creative entry! General Participation Rules and Entry Forms are available at http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/ And will also be available for copying in the JHS Library.

For questions, contact: Susan Epps, JHS PTA epps2629@comcast.net

Program Details

 Young artists get involved in Reflections through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are:

Literature -- works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.

Music Composition -- original musical composition, with or without words.

Photography -- prints up to 11 x 14 inches in color or black and white, including techniques: photogram, retouched, montage, sandwich and multiple exposure.

Visual Arts -- drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.

Film/Video -- original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.

Choreography/Dance -- originally choreographed dance composition (recorded on VHS tape or DVD).


Participation in Reflections is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The grade divisions are:

Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2
Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5
Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8
Senior -- Grades 9 - 12

Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local, council, state, and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local level and selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. JHS PTA Reflections Committee will send up to 20 chosen entries to the Everett PTSA Council program. Winning entries at the Council level will be submitted to Washington State PTA.

Quick Guide for Jackson HS Participants
1. Students should deliver their works to the JHS office before or on November 4, 2011 2:00 p.m.
3. All entries must have a completed entry form signed by parent/guardian and student.
4. PTA information for entry form will be filled out by Reflections Chair
5. Students, please read and comply with the rules and guidelines of the competition, so that your entry is not disqualified. There are changes each year, so it is important to review even if you have entered before.


PTA Reflections Program
NATIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

National Awards
The national PTA organization gives out 18 Awards of Excellence in each arts area - tree for each grade division. Up to five Awards of Merit may be given in each grade division of each arts area.

Award of Excellence recipients receive a $200 cash award and a silver-plated Reflections medallion. Award of Merit recipients receive a silver-plated Reflections medallion. Additional sponsor gifts may be given.

Outstanding Interpretation Awards
Six Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients - one from each arts area - are chosen from among all of the Award of Excellence recipients. The six Outstanding Interpretation Awards recognize the most creative interpretation of the theme in each of the arts areas, regardless of grade division.

The six Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients receive the following:
  • An expense-paid trip for themselves and one adult to the PTA National Convention
  • An $800 arts education award from the national PTA organization
  • A gold-plated Reflections medallion
  • Additional sponsor-related awards

In addition:
  • A $200 arts eduction award from the national PTA organization to the student's local PTA
Notification to students
  • All students whose entries reach the national level of judging will receive a letter of congratulations from the national PTA organization in June.
  • Recipients of Awards of Excellence and the Awards of Merit will be notified in writing in May.
  • Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients and their state arts chairs will be notified by telephone in April.

Return of artwork
  • Entries that receive national awards will be featured in the Reflections Program Gallery on the PTA national website.
  • The national PTA office will make every effort to return the photographs and visual artwork in January, following the completion of the gallery. However, the office does not return literature, musical composition, dance choreography, or film/video production entries.
  • Contact your state PTA for its artwork return policy.


12 Reasons to Support Arts Education

  1. The arts develop higher-order thinking skills.
  2. The arts can increase cooperation, tolerance of diverse values and viewpoints, and understanding of cultures past and present.
  3. The arts enhance the learning, working, and playing environment.
  4. The arts improve low self-esteem, a major factor in learning difficulties, the dropout rate, teenage suicide, violence, substance abuse, and crime.
  5. The arts engage a variety of learning styles and offer all children avenues for academic success, including children with disabilities and limited English proficiency.
  6. The arts integrate basic neurological functions and aid student learning in other subject areas.
  7. The arts enhance students’ creativity and increase creative thinking and problem solving abilities.
  8. The arts access a variety of human intelligences.
  9. The arts develop skills that prepare students for the work force.
  10. The arts assist in developing public images in the corporate world.
  11. The arts in the schools and community can attract new business to the area.
  12. The arts enrich our souls and free our spirits.
Getty Institute for the Enrichment of the Arts

References and Links of Interest

Washington State PTA Reflections Info Page (Includes rules in electronic format)
http://wastatepta.org/programs/Reflections/reflect.htm#

Heatherwood MS PTA
http://heatherwoodpta.org/

Gateway MS PTSA
http://gatewayptsa.org/

Young Arts - an NFAA program
http://www.artsawards.org/

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
http://www.artandwriting.org/

AP Studio Art Information
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_studioart.html

National Portfolio Day
Saturday, January 5, Seattle, Washington, 11:00AM - 3:00PM, Cornish College of the Arts
http://www.portfolioday.net/

Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs
NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling)
http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/Events/CollegeFairs/PVA/

National Art Honor Society (10th - 12th graders)
National Junior Art Honor Society (7th - 9th graders)
http://www.naea-reston.org/nahs.html

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities
http://www.pcah.gov

The Arts Education Partnership
http://aep-arts.org/




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