REFLECTIONS
Entries are due Friday, October 30, 2026
Please make sure your child’s entry and required paperwork are submitted by the deadline.
Submit your child’s Reflections entry here
Entries are due Friday, October 30, 2026
Please make sure your child’s entry and required paperwork are submitted by the deadline.
Submit your child’s Reflections entry here
PTA Reflections 2026-2027
Does your child love to draw, write, dance, take photographs, make movies or create music?
Reflections is a National PTA arts program that gives students the opportunity to express themselves creatively and share what inspires them.
This year’s theme is:
“What My Culture Means to Me”
Students are encouraged to interpret the theme in their own unique way. There is no single “right” interpretation—the goal is to let your child’s creativity and personal perspective shine.
Who Can Participate?
Reflections is open to students in all grades at Shady Grove Elementary.
Students may enter one or more arts categories, and each entry should represent the student’s own creative work.
Choose Your Category
Students can express the theme in one or more of these six arts areas:
What Makes a Good Reflections Entry?
The most important thing is your child’s own creative idea and interpretation of the theme.
Judges consider three main areas:
1. Interpretation of the Theme
How clearly does the artwork and artist statement connect to “What My Culture Means to Me”?
2. Creativity
How original and creative is the student’s idea and the way it is presented?
3. Technical Skill
What level of skill does the student demonstrate in the chosen art form?
Don’t worry about making the entry “perfect.” Reflections is an opportunity for students to express their own ideas and creativity.
Before You Submit: Quick Checklist
A note for parents: Parents and teachers can encourage and support students, but the creative work and artistic decisions should belong to the student. National PTA emphasizes individual student creativity and does not allow adults or other students to create or substantially direct the entry.
What Is an Artist Statement?
An artist statement is a short explanation written by the student about their artwork.
It should help the judges understand:
Using Technology or AI
Technology can be part of the creative process, but it cannot be the primary source of the design or creative concept.
For example, technology may be used to develop, enhance, or present a student’s original work. However, an entry cannot simply be made up of downloaded or AI-generated artwork.
If digital technology is used, students must provide information about the tools and methods used, including any generative elements, as required on the entry form.
When in doubt, please contact the SGES Reflections coordinator at [email protected] before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “culture” mean for this theme?
Culture can include the traditions, beliefs, values and everyday experiences that help shape who we are. Students might be inspired by family stories, food, music, language, holidays, meaningful places, school or neighborhood traditions, or other parts of their lives.
Does my child need to focus on their ancestry or ethnic heritage?
No. Heritage is one possible interpretation, but students may also explore the people, places, traditions, values or communities that have shaped them. The entry should reflect what culture genuinely means to the student.
What if my child is not sure what to create?
Try asking: “What people, traditions, places or memories help make you who you are?” or “What is something about your family or community that is meaningful to you?” Parents may help children brainstorm, but the final idea and creative decisions should be the student’s own.
Does my child have to be an artist to participate?
No! Reflections is for students with all kinds of creative interests and skill levels. The program is about expressing an idea and exploring creativity—not just artistic perfection.
Can my child enter more than one category?
Yes. Students may create entries in one or more arts categories.
Can my child submit artwork they already made?
No. National PTA requires Reflections entries to be new artwork created for the current Reflections program. Artwork created previously for another purpose or competition should not be submitted.
Can parents help?
Parents can encourage, support and help with logistics, but the creative work and artistic decisions need to come from the student. Adult artistic assistance is not permitted.
Can siblings work together on one entry?
No. Each entry must be the original work of one student.
Can my child use Canva or another design program?
Digital tools may be used to develop, enhance or present an original student-created work, but technology cannot provide the primary design or concept. Templates, graphics or other materials created by someone else should be used sparingly, if at all.
Can my child use AI?
AI or other generative technology cannot create the primary artwork or concept. If digital or generative technology is used as part of the creative process, the required details about how it was used must be provided with the entry.
Does my child’s name need to appear on the artwork?
No. National PTA recommends blind judging, so identifying information such as a student’s name should not appear on the artwork itself. Student information is collected separately on the entry form.
How long should the artist statement be?
The artist statement must be at least 10 words and no more than 100 words. It should be specific to the entry and written in the student’s own words.
How will entries be judged?
Judges consider:
What happens after my child submits an entry?
Entries are reviewed at the local PTA level. Depending on the Virginia PTA process and the results of the local review, selected entries may advance to the next level for additional recognition.
SGES will share information about local recognition and next steps with participating families.
Can students with disabilities participate?
Absolutely. National PTA offers an Accessible Arts pathway for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or Section 504. It provides accommodations intended to help students participate fully in Reflections.
Where can I find the official rules?
National PTA provides detailed category guidelines and Reflections resources here:
National PTA Reflections for Students and Families
Contact
Catina Hadijski & Theresa Crockett [email protected]
Reflections is a National PTA arts program that gives students the opportunity to express themselves creatively and share what inspires them.
This year’s theme is:
“What My Culture Means to Me”
Students are encouraged to interpret the theme in their own unique way. There is no single “right” interpretation—the goal is to let your child’s creativity and personal perspective shine.
Who Can Participate?
Reflections is open to students in all grades at Shady Grove Elementary.
Students may enter one or more arts categories, and each entry should represent the student’s own creative work.
Choose Your Category
Students can express the theme in one or more of these six arts areas:
- Dance Choreography: Create an original dance that communicates your interpretation of the theme.
- Film Production: Create an original film that tells a story or communicates an idea related to the theme.
- Literature: Write an original poem, story, essay, or other literary work inspired by the theme.
- Music Composition: Compose an original musical work inspired by the theme.
- Photography: Capture an original photograph—or series, where permitted—that expresses your interpretation of the theme.
- Visual Arts: Create an original drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, or other visual artwork inspired by the theme.
What Makes a Good Reflections Entry?
The most important thing is your child’s own creative idea and interpretation of the theme.
Judges consider three main areas:
1. Interpretation of the Theme
How clearly does the artwork and artist statement connect to “What My Culture Means to Me”?
2. Creativity
How original and creative is the student’s idea and the way it is presented?
3. Technical Skill
What level of skill does the student demonstrate in the chosen art form?
Don’t worry about making the entry “perfect.” Reflections is an opportunity for students to express their own ideas and creativity.
Before You Submit: Quick Checklist
- The work is inspired by “What My Culture Means to Me.”
- The artwork is new and was created specifically for Reflections.
- The work is the original creation of one student.
- The student has created an original title.
- The student has written an artist statement of 10–100 words.
- The artist statement explains the student’s work and how it connects to the theme.
- The work follows the requirements for its specific arts category.
- Any required digital or technology information has been included.
- The complete entry is submitted by October 30, 2026*.
A note for parents: Parents and teachers can encourage and support students, but the creative work and artistic decisions should belong to the student. National PTA emphasizes individual student creativity and does not allow adults or other students to create or substantially direct the entry.
What Is an Artist Statement?
An artist statement is a short explanation written by the student about their artwork.
It should help the judges understand:
- What did you create?
- What does it mean to you?
- How does it connect to “What My Culture Means to Me”?
- What inspired your creative choices?
Using Technology or AI
Technology can be part of the creative process, but it cannot be the primary source of the design or creative concept.
For example, technology may be used to develop, enhance, or present a student’s original work. However, an entry cannot simply be made up of downloaded or AI-generated artwork.
If digital technology is used, students must provide information about the tools and methods used, including any generative elements, as required on the entry form.
When in doubt, please contact the SGES Reflections coordinator at [email protected] before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “culture” mean for this theme?
Culture can include the traditions, beliefs, values and everyday experiences that help shape who we are. Students might be inspired by family stories, food, music, language, holidays, meaningful places, school or neighborhood traditions, or other parts of their lives.
Does my child need to focus on their ancestry or ethnic heritage?
No. Heritage is one possible interpretation, but students may also explore the people, places, traditions, values or communities that have shaped them. The entry should reflect what culture genuinely means to the student.
What if my child is not sure what to create?
Try asking: “What people, traditions, places or memories help make you who you are?” or “What is something about your family or community that is meaningful to you?” Parents may help children brainstorm, but the final idea and creative decisions should be the student’s own.
Does my child have to be an artist to participate?
No! Reflections is for students with all kinds of creative interests and skill levels. The program is about expressing an idea and exploring creativity—not just artistic perfection.
Can my child enter more than one category?
Yes. Students may create entries in one or more arts categories.
Can my child submit artwork they already made?
No. National PTA requires Reflections entries to be new artwork created for the current Reflections program. Artwork created previously for another purpose or competition should not be submitted.
Can parents help?
Parents can encourage, support and help with logistics, but the creative work and artistic decisions need to come from the student. Adult artistic assistance is not permitted.
Can siblings work together on one entry?
No. Each entry must be the original work of one student.
Can my child use Canva or another design program?
Digital tools may be used to develop, enhance or present an original student-created work, but technology cannot provide the primary design or concept. Templates, graphics or other materials created by someone else should be used sparingly, if at all.
Can my child use AI?
AI or other generative technology cannot create the primary artwork or concept. If digital or generative technology is used as part of the creative process, the required details about how it was used must be provided with the entry.
Does my child’s name need to appear on the artwork?
No. National PTA recommends blind judging, so identifying information such as a student’s name should not appear on the artwork itself. Student information is collected separately on the entry form.
How long should the artist statement be?
The artist statement must be at least 10 words and no more than 100 words. It should be specific to the entry and written in the student’s own words.
How will entries be judged?
Judges consider:
- Interpretation of the Theme
- Creativity
- Technical Skill
What happens after my child submits an entry?
Entries are reviewed at the local PTA level. Depending on the Virginia PTA process and the results of the local review, selected entries may advance to the next level for additional recognition.
SGES will share information about local recognition and next steps with participating families.
Can students with disabilities participate?
Absolutely. National PTA offers an Accessible Arts pathway for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or Section 504. It provides accommodations intended to help students participate fully in Reflections.
Where can I find the official rules?
National PTA provides detailed category guidelines and Reflections resources here:
National PTA Reflections for Students and Families
Contact
Catina Hadijski & Theresa Crockett [email protected]
