For 40 years, the National PTA Reflections Program has encouraged students across the nation to explore their artistic talents.
 
The PTA Reflections Program is designed to enhance quality arts education for students in preschool through grade 12, encouraging them to create works of art in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts. More than 500,000 students participate through their local PTAs each year—millions over the course of the program’s 40 years. The Reflections Program helps parents encourage the creativity and lifelong learning of their children, and offers children recognition for their artistic endeavors.

Parents, teachers, and community members all play a critical role in providing a positive learning environment for children. Supporting the PTA Reflections Program is one way you can increase student achievement, foster student talents, and promote the arts in at home, at school, and within our community.
 
At Settlers Way Elementary, we believe that all our students have some form of artistic talent whose expression can be shared through the Reflections Program. We ask that all parents and teachers encourage their children to participate in this year’s Reflections Arts Program based on the theme “ Beauty Is….”
 
· Entries can be submitted in the following 6 categories.
§ Musical Composition
§ Literature
§ Visual Arts
§ Photography
§ Video Production
§ Dance Choreography
 
· A student can participate in as many categories as they wish and can submit multiple entries in each category. Each entry needs to be accompanied by an entry form. Download, print, and fill out the entry form and submit one with each entry.
 
· Entry forms and rules for each category can also be downloaded from the Resources link on the right side of this page or from the Texas PTA website at http://www.txpta.org/programs/reflections/.
 
· Deadline for entry submission is: Friday 30th Oct 2009. Incomplete and/or late entries will NOT be accepted. Entries can be submitted to the SWE front desk or to the students home room teachers.

· A Reception honoring all participants will be held on Thursday Nov 19th 2009 at 6.30 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd place winners in each category in both Primary ( K-2nd grade) and Intermediate (3rd – 5th grade). Judging is based on creativity, interpretation of the theme, artistic merit based on adherence to the rules.
 
· If parents have additional questions about SWE’s Reflections Program or would like to volunteer to help, please contact us at SWEREFLECTIONS@GMAIL.COM
 
· To view entries from the National winners for past years of the Reflections Program, please visit http://www.pta.org/2032.asp.
 
This year, we plan to advance the best entries from SWE beyond the school level and to the Council, State, National Reflections contests. We are looking forward to seeing the artistic talents of our students hope to have great entries in this year’s Reflections contest.