Hi there! my name is Kathee Hans and I am the new 12th District Reflection's Chairperson. I have been involved in PTA for many years and I have to say that, without a doubt, Reflections is my absolute favorite program and I'm delighted to be a part of it. For many years now, 12th District PTA has been providing our community with an incredible reflections program. which has continued to grow and thrive under its tender care and through the amazing art, created by the children of Ventura County. We at 12th District are looking forward to more of the same this year, under the new Reflections Theme "Beauty is." 

"Reflections" is a National PTA arts recognition and achievement program for students. It provides students with opportunities to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of arts inspired by a pre-selected theme.  The Reflections Program is designed for every student who attends a PTA/PTSA school. It is the perfect vehicle to promote the arts, while increasing community awareness of the importance of arts in our schools.

Reflections turn-ins for individual units are just around the corner, usually in October!  If you are a school unit and are unsure about how to proceed, please contact your Council Level Reflections Chair or your Council President for more information.The Council turn-in date will be on December 3rd from 4 - 7 at the 12th District Cottage.(Directions:  Exit freeway at Las Posas and go south to Pleasant Valley (turn right) go to Airport Way (turn right). Go past the first big building and turn right at the chain link gate. Proceed through next gate (50 feet). The cottage will be straight ahead (It's the 2nd one and it faces the parking lot). (Signs will be posted to assist you!) A District Turn-In form will be available on line in the near future.

You should be receiving a "Reflections" packet from your President. It contains the forms necessary to produce the program. As of this printing, the CAPTA.org website does not have this year's information there yet. However, there are all kinds of great fliers available for your use on-line at PTA.org. Go to Programs, then Reflections, then How to Promote the Program, and you'll be able to download posters, etc. Just be sure that you do not use their "Entry Form." The California version is always modified slightly, to fit our needs better. There is also a Reflections Gallery where the artwork of previous award recipients may be viewed!

There is a theme search for the 2011-2012 Reflection's Theme. Submissions mustbe sent directly from you to the California State PTA by November 12, 2009 (Form in packet.)

Listed below is a quick Check List to assist you with organizing your entries prior to the due date.Please make sure that all entry forms have been signed by the parent, are on the correct color of paper for your council, artist statements have been completed, and the local 8 digit PTA ID #, not the CA ID#, and any other PTA infoemation required is listed at the bottom of each entry form. Please follow the "presentation" section of the rules carefully.

Literature:
Entries in the Literature category (2 Copies) should be placed in file folders, with the entry forms attached to the back of the folders in clear plastic sheet protectors. Please be sure that the students name and school are written on the back of each sheet - not on the front.

Musical Composition:
No musical notation is required until the middle school level. Entries may not exceed 5 minutes in length. Musical entries should be placed in large envelopes. The entry forms should be placed in sheet protectors and fastened to the top of each envelope with tape. Entrants must submit 2 CDs and we suggest that they make an additional copy to keep for themselves.

Photography:
The student must take the photographs. A single print or collage may not exceed 11" x 14", including the mat. All prints should be mounted on a cardboard mat, poster board or some other sturdy material. Framed entries, original film and multi-dimensional pieces are not accepted. Photos should mounted and shrink wrapped. The entry forms should be placed inside sheet protectors and taped to the back of the photos - on the OUTSIDE of the shrink wrap.

Visual Arts:
Check the size (no art may exceed 24" x 30") and width may (may not exceed 3/8" thick). Submissions must be the student's original idea. If it's a photographic collage, pictures should not be taken by the student, only compiled. The use of copyrighted materials is prohibited. This includes cartoon characters. Three-D works are not accepted. Shrink wrapping is highly recommended. Entry forms should be placed inside the sheet protectors and taped onto the OUTSIDE of the shrink wrap.

Dance Choreography:
Choreography must be original dance composition works of one student and must demonstrate creativity and interpretation of the theme. Up to 3 dancers may perform. Choreographer may perform, hut dosn't have to. Be sure to state who performed the choreography on the Entry Form. If costumes are used, choreographer must create them. Concept is more important than technique. Students must answer all questions on the entry form to be elegible. National PTA does not return choreography entries. Music must be credited and documented on the entry form. Must not exceed 5 minutes. Music must be submitted on DVD in one of the following file formats: MPG / MPEG, .MOV / .QT (Quick Time Video) or .WMV (Windows Media Video). Must be presented in plastic or cardboard container, with student's name, grade division, state and year. Pack DVD in large envelope and secure entry to the outside with masking tape.

Film/Video Production:
Student must be director, screenwriter, and cameraperson, and cameraperson. If using a computer student must do all the work. All storyboarding, sditing, etc must be done by student. Students must answer all questions on the entry form to be eligible. National PTA does not return film/video production entries. The title, composer and performer of any background music must be credited and documented on the entry form. Entries must not exceed 5 minutes. Submissions should be in one of the following formats: .MPG / .MPEG, .MOV / .QT, or .WMV. Two entries should be submitted on CD or DVD and should be placed in a large envelope (10 x 13). Entry forms should be placed inside sheet protectors and taped on the OUTSIDE of the envelope.

The 12th District Reflections Reception will be held by invitation only, on January 20th, at the Ventura County Office of Education, Conference and Educational Service Center, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. Entries may be viewed at 5:30 and the program begins at 6:oo.

I am  looking forward to a wonderful Reflection's season! Please contact me with any questions that you may. I may be contacted by clicking on the email address below my name above and send me an email.

Kathee Hans
12th District PTA Reflections Chairman