MCCPTA Fall Reflections Training 2011 for local chairpeople.

1. MCCPTA Reflections TrainingFall 2011 Presented by Melissa A. McDonald

2. MCCPTA Reflections Co-Chairs Chris McDermott Phone: 301-253-9059 E-mail: malimcdermott@verizon.net Melissa McDonald Phone: 240-654-4855 E-mail: melissa.lewis.mcdonald@gmail.com

3. What is Reflections? The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six areas: Literature Musical Composition Photography Visual Arts Film Production Dance Choreography

4. In its 42 year history, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. The Reflections Program was started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson.

5. Each year, the Reflections Program challenges students to create art that relates to a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to PTA’s Reflections Program Theme Search. Past themes have included “A Different Kind of Hero”, “If I Could Give the World A Gift…”, “Imagine That…”, “Exploring New Beginnings….”, and “Beauty Is…”.

6. 2011-2012 Reflections theme is: “Diversity Means…”

7. To learn more about Reflections: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/ (Please join this listserv as it is our primary form of communication) www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html (State Reflections website) www.ptareflections.org/(Note: use forms on MDPTA website) (National Reflections website) www.pta.org/2032.asp (National Reflections website)

8. Reflections Yahoo Listserv Most of our communication is via e-mail and the Yahoo listserv – please join today! Local Reflections Chairperson and PTA President are asked to join the listserv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA

9. Categories Visual Arts Photography Literature Dance Choreography Music Composition Film Production

10. Divisions Primary: Grades preK-2 Intermediate: Grades 3-5 Middle/Junior: Grades 6-8 Senior: Grades 9-12

11. Ways to implement a Reflections program at your school: Publicity Judging Paperwork

12. Publicity Let all of your school’s teachers know about the program Via E-mail Leave flyer in mailbox Speak directly to the teachers at a staff meeting Announce in the school’s newsletter, morning announcements, web site, Listserve, etc. Hang posters in your school

13. Reflections Logo http://www.pta.org/Reflections_StyleGuide.pdf

14. All documents are available on the MDPTA website and the Yahoo listserv www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/

15. Customizable flyer is available for your use!

17. Where to submit (drop off in workroom/media center, main office, etc)

18. Details for submitting (very important to have a signed entry form attached)

19. Date of showcase & reception

21. Helpful Suggestions Shrink wrap visual arts and photography submissions* Mount artwork on foam core or stiff poster board (but do not exceed maximum dimensions) *rolls of shrink wrap available at Michael’s

22. New Requirements Include this important information on cover of the Student Reflections Packet: Maximum dimensions of artwork File type and length maximums – DVD /CD entries not recorded in stated format WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

23. New Requirements, continued Entry form must be TYPED and signed before turning in to MCCPTA –handwritten forms WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED Title and artist statement – REQUIRED Completed PTA section – REQUIRED

24. New Requirements, continued Completed Parental Consent Form – must be included or entry WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED Follow packaging and labeling details PRIOR to submission to MCCPTA –improperly packed entries WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED No exceptions will be made to any of the new requirements!

25. Judging Each PTA Reflections chairperson is responsible for securing judges of their own local contest Helpful to find judges that work with children and understand their levels of ability Judge may use this form (see page 11 in Local Arts Chair’ Guide):

26. MCCPTA 2011-12 REFLECTIONS PROGRAM JUDGING SHEET Theme: “Diversity Means” GRADE DIVISIONARTS AREA ___ Primary, Pre – 2 ___ Dance ___ Intermediate, 3 – 5 ___ Literature ___ Middle, 6 – 8 ___ Musical Composition ___ Senior, 9 – 12 ___ Photography ___ Visual Arts ___ Film JUDGING CRITERIA Interpretation of Theme: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork itself and the artist statement. Total points=20 Artistic Merit/Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. Total points= 10 Mastery of Medium: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area. Total points=10 Maximum Total Points = 40

27. Judges should not be from your own school –MUST conduct blind judging (judge cannot see the name of the student). If the student’s name in on the front of the artwork, please cover with a post-it note, or something that can be removed without damaging the artwork. Judging can be done at your school, or you may take the entries to the judge

28. Thank the Judges …Be sure to thank them! SKR PTA presents a $25 Border’s gift card to the Literature judge and $25 Michael’s gift card to the Visual Arts and Photography judges. WLES PTA presents a $5 Borders gift card, or PTA Reflections lapel pin to each judge. You may also wish to recognize them in your award ceremony program

29. Official Entry Form The PTA section MUST be completed – including all of the dates requested. Form must be typed; handwritten form will NOT be accepted; No exceptions. Entries will not be accepted at the MCCPTA office if entry form is incomplete and/or your PTA is not in good standing with MDPTA. No exceptions.

30. Please Note! Local PTAs must be in good standing with Maryland PTA by January 1, 2012 in order to participate in MCCTPA Reflections. No exceptions. Details are outlined in the chairperson guide- please read the document carefully before implementing your local program. Contact Chris or Melissa with questions!

31. To Be In Good Standing: Membership Dues must be paid Bylaws must be current Insurance must be paid IRS form 990 must be filed Copies of each of these forms MUST BE included with your MCCPTA submissions.

32. Entry Form – MUST HAVES Each submission must have a TYPED signed entry form (including the PTA section). Each submission must have a completed parental consent form. Each submission must have a title and a mandatory artist’s statement. Each submission must have been packaged and labeled correctly.

33. Please Note! There are NO EXCEPTIONS to any and all of the mandatory requirements as outlined in the Local Chair Guidelines. MCCPTA cannot accept any entries that do not adhere to the requirements.

34. Forms & Paperwork All forms must be completed and included with the artwork moving up to the council level judging. Online forms are available on the MDPTA website under the Reflections tab: http://www.mdpta.org/bridge_reflections.html and will also be uploaded onto the MCCPTA yahoo group site. Local unit entries due to MCCPTA office December 14-16,19, 2011.

35. MCCPTA OFFICE 2096 Gaither Road, Suite 204 Rockville, MD 20850(301) 208-0111 Office Hours: 10am -2pm M-F Office Manager: Pam Loebach Entries accepted on these dates only : 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/19 2011 Please call ahead before dropping off entries.

36. Awards and Recognition Ceremonies Local (school )level – top 3 in each category & division move up to county level County level- top 3 in each category & division move up to state level State level: Outstanding Interpretation of Theme Award of Excellence Award of Merit ( similar to honorable mention) Participation Certificates- to all participants

37. Local (school) level awards Local award ceremonies and recognition are the responsibility of the local Reflections chairperson. It is recommended that each student receive a participation award, and those that move forward to the county level can be awarded appropriately. Be Creative!!

38. We have used Wholesale Medals www.wholesalemedals.com and Crown Trophy www.crowntrophy.com, and have had good service from both companies, but you may use whomever you wish. The national PTA web site offers Reflections awards : www.pta.org (click on PTA store link)

39. Examples of Awards Lapel Pins Medals Stickers

40. Example of SKR’s Certificate: Certificate of Excellence This certificate is awarded to Student’s name In recognition of your 2007-2008 PTA Reflections literature Entry “I Can Make a Difference by...” Christopher Wynne, Principal, Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School Melissa A. McDonald, Reflections Chairperson Date

41. Showcase & Reception Ideas Hang a Reflections ‘gallery’ in a hallway near the site of your awards ceremony (such as the media center) two weeks before the reception, so that all students and teachers will be able to view the submissions. Tie it in with a PTA meeting: Reflections Showcase & Reception held directly after a brief PTA meeting in early December.

42. Other Ideas for Award Ceremonies At WLES, the submissions were hung in their gallery (main hallway) a few weeks before their reception. The judges did their judging at the school. WLES held a reception in Media Center one evening in mid-December. Each child introduced his or her art piece, and received certificate & pin. Clarksburg ES had an award ceremony in the morning and included breakfast.

43. Still More Ideas for Award Ceremonies Pizza party at lunch time – Great for high school students. Hang artwork and awards in your school’s media center for a few weeks so that the entire school can see the entries. Use your imagination & make it your own!

44. MCCPTA Reflections Awards Ceremony & Gallery All local Reflections chairpersons are on the MCCPTA Reflections Awards Ceremony committee – thanks in advance for your time, energy and support!  Event details TBD – watch the listserv for information!

45. Join our Yahoo! Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReflectionsMCCPTA/ Lots of useful (and important) information is posted there – please join!

46. Have fun with your program –the quality of the kids’ work will amaze you!

47. Questions ??