Archive for category Reflections
Apply for the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant!
Posted by Webmaster in National PTA Communications, Reflections on May 16, 2009
A limited number of matching grants of up to $1,000 are awarded each year to local PTAs for student-centered programs focused on arts education. Special consideration is given to programs that reach large numbers of students, especially students who are at risk. At risk is the term applied to children whose environmental, familial, and/or socioeconomic situation may aff ect their academic success or ability to learn.
The grant program complements PTA’s long-standing commitment to quality arts education in public s chools by providing funds to local PTAs to establish or enhance school arts programs in one or more arts areas: visual arts, photography, music (including dance), and literature (including theater). Local PTAs must submit complete applications and provide funds that match the amount they are requesting from the national PTA organization.
Mail the completed application form [PDF], selection criteria, and letter of commitment for matching funds to:
PTA National Headquarters
Attn: Arts Enhancement Grants
541 N. Fairbanks Court, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60611-3396
Don’t wait! The application must be received in PTA’s Chicago office by Monday, June 1st!
It’s Not Too Early to Start Promoting Reflections!
Posted by Webmaster in Reflections on May 11, 2009
Reflections is one of PTA’s biggest programs that inspires thousands of students every year to showcase their creativity in visual arts, photography, literature, music competition, dance choreography, and film production. It is a program that encourages students to use their creativity to enter artwork that responds to a basic theme. If your PTA has not participated in the Reflections program, you should strongly consider participating during the upcoming school year.
The 2009-10 Reflections theme is “Beauty Is…”, which is sure to bring about a number of creative entries! But why wait until the beginning of the school year to start promoting it? The start of the school year is a busy time for students who are transitioning into new classes, and for teachers who are getting their plans for the year settled. So if you are an incoming Reflections chair who wants to have a successful program at your school next year, take the initiative NOW to start connecting with teachers and parents and encourage them to get on board with Reflections. Encourage students to prepare their artwork over the summer break, when they have the most time. Encourage teachers to integrate Reflections into one of their assignments–and then make entering that work in Reflections optional for the students. All of these are tried-and-true methods to help Reflections thrive at your school, and now is a great time to get a head start!
Just to give you an idea of the timeline, Reflections entries from all participating units are due to 17th District at the beginning of December (in-council units need to submit to their councils at the end of November), which means that you’ll need to establish the deadline for students to submit their entries in late-October/early-November. This means that if you want to give students enough time to prepare their work in the fall, you would have to start promoting it right at the beginning of the school year. Why not get a head start now and make your work in the fall that much easier?
If your school does not have an active Reflections program, but you would like to get one going, please contact Contessa Messiana, 17th District Reflections Program Chair, and she will be happy to help you get started.
State PTA Reflections Winners Announced
Posted by Webmaster in 17th District News, Reflections, State PTA News on March 8, 2009
The California State PTA announced the state-level Reflections winners yesterday, and we are very excited that four of the winners come from 17th District! All of 17th District’s “Outstanding Interpretation of Theme” winners moved on to the State PTA, where the artwork competed with artwork from the twenty-eight other PTA districts in California.
Congratulations to the following students from 17th District who were awarded at the State PTA level:
Award of Excellence
“Fanfare for Three”
Scott Bell
Borel Middle School
Music — Middle/Junior Division
Award of Merit
“Wow…An Ocean Sky”
Alyssa Corpuz
Brewer Island Elementary School
Photography — Primary Division
“Wow! Crazy Animals!”
Jack Warren
Foster City Elementary School
Literature — Primary Division
Convention Display
“I Can Fly”
Samuel Yang
Brewer Island Elementary School
Visual Arts — Primary Division
All four of these pieces, along with all of the other State PTA Reflections winners, will be on display at the California State PTA Convention in San Jose. All are invited to come (for free) to see the Reflections exhibit at Convention!
And a big congratulations to Scott Bell, who won the Award of Excellence, the top prize for Reflections at the state level! (State and National do not have an “Outstanding Interpretation of Theme” award.) Scott will be invited to perform his composition at the California State PTA Convention on May 1st in San Jose and will receive an award on stage. Furthermore, his entry is the only piece from 17th District that has moved on to the National PTA judging, and results from National will be announced at the Convention in San Jose.
We hope that you will join us at our 17th District Reflections Art Exhibit on Thursday, March 19th, 6-8 PM. We will have replications of these four pieces on display along with 159 other entries that were submitted to 17th District. If you have any questions, please contact Contessa Messiana, 17th District Reflections Chair.
17th District 2008-09 Reflections Results and March 19th Art Exhibit
Posted by Webmaster in 17th District News, Events, Reflections on February 19, 2009
17th District had a very successful Reflections Art Program in 2008-09! This year’s theme was “Wow!”, and there were 490 students throughout San Mateo County that participated in the Reflections program in their schools. Of them, 163 pieces continued on to judging at the 17th District level, and of those 18 entries won the Outstanding Interpretation of Theme award at 17th District and have moved on to judging at the California State level. NEW! Results from California State PTA have been announced.
The 163 pieces that were judged at the district level will be displayed at a Reflections Art Exhibit on Thursday, March 19th at John Gill Elementary School in Redwood City (view map). The open-house exhibit will take place during 6-8 PM, and all are invited to come see the visual entries, hear the music entries, and watch the film and dance entries. Snacks and activities will also be provided for the kids. Download the Flyer [PDF]
Next year’s Reflections theme (2009-10) will be “Beauty Is…”. Students are encouraged to start thinking of ideas for next year! If your PTA is interested in starting a Reflections program next year, or if you have any questions about this year’s judging or the March 19th Art Exhibit, please contact Contessa Messiana, 17th District Reflections Chair.
The full list of winners from 17th District is below the jump.
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