Reflections | Louisiana PTA

2023-2024 Reflections Contest

The PTA Reflections program provides students with opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence. Visual and performing arts naturally align with established Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) goals.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 nationwide create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. Approaching its 55th year, this 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.

The 2023-24 Reflections theme is "I Am Hopeful Because..."

If you are a STUDENT wanting to enter the 2025-26 Reflections Theme contest, submit entries for that contest here.

Step 1: Register with LAPTA

Local PTA Units first register their unit. LAPTA has Zoom training sessions to get everyone confident in running the Reflections Program for their PTA. The PTA unit chooses which art categories will be offered to their students: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.

REQUIRED Registration with LAPTA

Students must participate in their Grade Category: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), or Special Artist (students of all ages with an ADA Section 504). Students with the ADA Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or the grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.

The Local PTA Unit submits their winners to LAPTA by January 22, 2024. Please set your deadlines earlier to give yourself enough time to pick your winners. All winners are submitted through an online portal. Local Units must be Actively Affiliated with LAPTA by October 27, 2023, for their students to participate.

Step 2: View the Reflections Introduction PowerPoint

Please view the Reflections Introduction PowerPoint or you can view the PDF of the slides. This is the first place to get started with the Reflections Program.

Reflections Introduction PowerPoint

Reflections Introduction PDF

Step 3: Promote & Recruit

PROMOTE

Celebrate the National Arts in Education Week which begins the second Sunday in September and the National Arts and Humanities Month in October. Also, personalize the Reflections flyers and materials. Scan the Reflections Celebration Guide PDF for ideas.

BAND APP

BAND is an all-in-one group communication app that can help make managing your Reflections program easier and more impactful. Visit PTA.org/Reflections/StartYourProgram to find the "BAND and Your Reflections Program" resource and learn about the many features BAND has to offer, including file sharing, chat rooms and posts.

Recruit Volunteers

Recruit Volunteers for your Reflections Committee and delegate tasks to promote the program, coordinate judging, and host celebration events.

Download Celebration Guide

Step 4: Customize and Distribute

Edit program materials to include available arts categories for participation, program deadlines, directions for submitting entries, distribute to program participants, student entry forms, and category rules. Include additional details in the student materials like contact information, packaging instructions (e.g., physical vs. digital), and additional rules for student eligibility.

LOCAL UNIT ENTRY DEADLINE is Monday, January 22, 2024.

The PDF Viewer below has fillable forms for 2/page, 1/page, and a program overview flyer in English and Spanish and may be downloaded below. The Student Entry Form needs to have the top section completed by the PTA leader before distributing the form to students.

Download Promo Flyers

Download Student Entry Form

Timeline: Deadline is January 22, 2024

Register your Reflections Program Leader with LAPTA at https://form.jotform.com/231397127809160.
LAPTA accepts entries in all six Arts Categories. The Local PTA Unit decides which Arts Categories their students can enter: Dance Choreography, Literature, Visual Arts, Film Production, Music Composition, and Photography.
Eligible Local PTA Units can submit three (3) entries from each Arts Category per Grade Division to LAPTA for judging at the state level. If your school has more than one Grade Division, you may submit three entries for each of those separate divisions. Grade Divisions are Primary (Pre-K to Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), and Special Artist (All grades).
The Student Entry Portal link will be shared as soon as it is received from National PTA. This is the platform LAPTA use to accept entries. Guidance on how to use the portal will be provided on the LAPTA website.
LOCAL UNIT ENTRY DEADLINE is Monday, January 22, 2024.
Local Units must be Actively Affiliated with LAPTA by December 15, 2023, for student entries to be accepted for judging by LAPTA.