Delaware PTA Reflections Toolkit

The following steps will help you run a successful Reflections program. All Participants (schools or individuals) should contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez to be put on distribution list for Delaware PTA Reflection updates.

IMPORTANT DATES: 

NOW!:  Register your school for the Reflections program and to be included in judging in the state level program and the chance to move to nationals. It is highly recommended that you register and kick off your program as soon as possible in order to have time for a call for entries, submission and your own school level judging. Most schools will kick off their programs in Fall 2023.

February 1, 2024: Deadline to register for Reflections to be included in judging in the state level program and the chance to move to nationals. This is the latest you can register but it is highly recommended that you register and kick off your program as early in the school year as possible in order to have time for a “call for entries”, submission and your own school level judging. Most schools will kick off their programs in Fall 2023.

February 1, 2024: Deadline for non-PTA schools and individuals to join Delaware PTA as a VIP member and contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez to coordinate submission of entries. See special instructions at the bottom of the page for more information.

February 11, 2024: Deadline for PTAs to submit up to 5 entries in every art category and grade division at local PTA/VIP Unit level are due in the state portal.

March 18, 2024: State Winners announced.

Delaware PTA is currently seeking a State Reflections Co-Chair, or individuals interested in joining the State Reflections Committee to assist with setting up judging and the state awards ceremony. If you are interested, please contactDelaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez

Running a program in your school (or, for non PTA schools and individuals, participating as a DPTA VIP) and submitting entries in one or more categories and divisions using the current year’s theme.

 

Delaware PTA’s Reflections program is open to all students in the Delaware, regardless of whether they attend a school with an active PTA or not. The steps below outline how to run a school-wide program. It can be used by PTA and non-PTA schools.  If you wish to participate as an individual or your school does not have a PTA please review the Special instructions for Non-PTA Participation/Individual Participation at the bottom of the page

Step 1: Start the Arts

  • Register for participation by Feb 1, 2024 to be included in the state program.
  • Review materials available from National PTA.

Step 2: Organize and plan your program 

  • Recruit a committee/team of volunteers to assist with program tasks. Also recruit community arts professionals to review artwork and determine awards.
  • Review the Reflections Local leaders guide
  • Customize your Leaders Checklist to organize tasks and schedule deadlines (included in leader’s guide).

Step 3: Promote and encourage students to enter 

Pandemic conditions have taken a toll on in person student participation in the arts, particularly in arts programs like Reflections. Social and emotional learning is now more important than ever to help them process their thoughts and feelings. As many school communities will be learning remotely, National PTA And Delaware PTA supports and encourages our PTAs to run their Reflections programs virtually. Leverage the Virtual resources  for remote learners in addition to or instead of the traditional printed material.

  • Check out the National PTA’s Reflections page for posters, logos, signs and other resources to use in promoting the reflections program.

Step 4: Organize artwork for judging

First, check-in entries and review artwork for qualification. Organize entries by division and category, then assign them to a judge.

  • Welcome judges with a copy of program rules and score card (in your local leader guide).  Instruct judges to follow the guidelines spelled out in the program rubric when scoring entries.
  • Ensure judges review the student’s artwork title and artist statement included on the student’s entry form, but do not reveal the student’s name.
  • Assign awards to all qualifying entries. Award levels may include: Award of Excellence, Award of Merit, Honorable Mention and Participant.
  • Submit school winners (up to 5 entries in every category and grade division) online via the National PTA Student Entry Portal by 11:59pm ET February 11, 2024. (Deadline is 11:59pm ET on February 1, 2024 for non-PTA schools and individuals to join Delaware PTA as a VIP member and contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez to coordinate submission of entries. See special instructions at the bottom of the page)

Step 5: Celebrate and recognize your participants

  • Start with the Celebrate Guidelines to help plan your event.
  • Share the Media Advisory and Press Release with local media.
  • Present the Student Certificate and other awards available at the PTA Store.
  • State winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony at the 2024 State Convention.

Step 6: Wrap Up

Special instructions for Non-PTA Participation by Schools and Individual students

Schools and other groups of students ( e.g. homeschool groups):

  • School does not have a PTA/PTSA (or their PTA is not in good standing)
  • School has a PTO instead of a PTA
  • Homeschool or other educational groups
    • Identify someone as the Lead for your Program. Set up committees and run your program using all the other materials as they have been presented in the steps above.
    • WINNERS should join Delaware PTA as a VIP member. Cost is $10. A parent may join in place of the student. Parents only need to join once if more than one student wishes to participate.
    • The Program Lead should contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez by February 1, 2024 to coordinate submission to the state portal of up to 5 winners per category per division. Submission must be completed by 11:59pm ET, February 11, 2024.
  • Students who attend a school that has a PTA that is in good standing, but their school is not running the Reflections program:
    • Identify someone as the Lead for your Program. Set up committees and run your program using all the other materials as they have been presented in the steps above.
    • The Program Lead should contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez by February 1, 2024 to coordinate submission to the state portal of up to 5 winners per category per division. Submission must be completed by 11:59pm ET, February 11, 2024.

Individual students:

  • School does not have a PTA/PTSA (or their PTA is not in good standing)
  • School has a PTO instead of a PTA
  • Homeschool or other educational groups
    • Join Delaware PTA as a VIP member. Cost is $10. A parent may join in place of the student. Parents only need to join once if more than one student wishes to participate.
    • Follow the instructions, guides and rules above to prepare your entries.
    • Contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez by February 1, 2024 to coordinate your submission.
  • Students who attend a school that has a PTA that is in good standing, but their school is not running the Reflections program:
    • Follow the instructions, guides and rules above to prepare your entries.
    • Contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez by February 1, 2024 to coordinate your submission.

If there are more than 5 entries in grade division and category,  Delaware PTA VIP submissions will be initially judged as a group by the Delaware PTA.  Top 5 winners in each grade division and category will be moved up to the state level for judging.

Delaware PTA is currently seeking a Reflections Co-Chair, or individuals interested in joining the Reflections Committee, at the state level to assist with setting up Judging and the Awards ceremony. Please contact us if you would like to help!

Any other questions?  Please contact Delaware PTA Board Members Kelly Coffey and Julie Alvarez