Published September 28th, 2011
Don't Let Your Child Miss This Year's Opportunity to Create
Submitted by Valyrie Friedman
Each year, the National PTA(r) Reflections ProgramSM challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. The program has six areas-dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts-and four grade divisions-primary, intermediate, middle/junior and senior. Designed to enhance quality arts education, the Reflections ProgramSM provides opportunities for students to express themselves and receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, dance, film and other art media, they grow intellectually; they learn to analyze their thoughts and feelings.
This fall, the PTA/PTSAs of eight Lamorinda and five Walnut Creek schools, supported by the Las Trampas Creek Council (LTCC) are participating in Reflections. The Lamorinda schools are Burton Valley, Lafayette, Camino Pablo, and Donald L. Rheem Elementary, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate and Stanley Middle School. The theme this year is "Diversity means..."
Workshops and special events are being held at many participating schools, as a venue for students to bring their works in progress and/or be inspired to begin a creation based on the theme. Thursday, September 29th, Burton Valley Elementary will host an after school workshop from 2:30pm-4pm. Keep an eye out for announcements around your school regarding Reflections workshops and events.
Works are judged upon theme interpretation, artist's statement, artistic originality and creativity, and the student's mastery of their medium. Works selected are submitted to LTCC, who host a showcase of the entries from participating schools in December. 24 entrants advance to the district/regional level, are Showcased in January, and continue to State with possible advancement to the National level.
Last year, the theme was "Together We Can..." Two local students' entries advanced to the State Level: Marcello Severo and Zevin Acuna of Burton Valley. An Awards of Merit was given to Marcello in musical composition. Zevin Acuna's film, "Together we can save the homeless. Together we can save the world.", received an Award of Excellence at the State and National Level. Zevin's video can be viewed at http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/reflections.cfm under 2011 Film/Video production winners.
Students interested in participating should contact individual schools for entry forms, rules and deadlines.
To learn more about the Reflections Program, visit
http://www.ptareflections.org/
cs/about_reflections.

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