Again this year, the Victor Central School District is participating in the annual National PTA Reflections Program.  Reflections is an art program which offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition.  Each year, a new theme is chosen from thousands of ideas submitted by students from around the country.  This year’s theme is: Wow!

In its nearly 40 year history, the PTA Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the country, in preschool through grade 12 to explore their artistic talents.  Children are encouraged to create original works of art based on the year’s theme.  Entries are accepted in six categories; Dance Choreography, Film/Video Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.  Under the related files below, you will find the student rules, the rules for each category, and the entry form. 

All completed works with the completed entry form attached will need to be brought to the student’s main office anytime before Monday November 10, 2008.  All projects are to be completed independently at home unless specified as an in school project by their teacher.  All students who participate in this year’s Reflections program will receive recognition during the second and third weeks of November.  A gallery of this years participants works will be on display in the Victor Education Center (VEC) Boardroom from Thursday, November 13th through Thursday, November 21st.  Participants will be recognized during our second annual Reflections Night at 7:00pm on Monday, November 17th, 2008 in the VEC Boardroom.  In addition, the Victor Board of Education will recognize students during the monthly meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 7:30pm in VEC Boardroom.  More information will follow about future events regarding Reflections.  

The Reflections Program is structured to recognize students at local, regional, state and national levels.  Entries are first judged at the local level, where selected works are chosen to be presented at the next level.  At the national level, Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are presented in each grade division within each arts area.  One Outstanding Interpretation award recipient is also chosen in each art area.  For more information about the National PTA Reflections Program, visit www.pta.org/reflections.

For more information about this year’s Reflection Program at Victor Central Schools, or if you are interested in helping, please feel free to attend the PTSA Membership Meeting on September 11th, 7:00pm at the Victor Intermediate Auditorium or contact Wendy Glaess, Victor Central PTSA Reflections Chair, at 924-7455, email kwglaess@frontiernet.net. 

The Victor Central School District along with the Victor Central PTSA is encouraging students to participate in this program’s second year at Victor Central Schools.  As parents, teachers and community members, we all play a critical role in fostering our children’s creative process.  This program is a great opportunity for our children to create works of art for fun and expression, and to be recognized for their artistic efforts.

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by grade level. Student works at the state and national level are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artwork according to appropriate developmental age and skill levels.  This program is open to all Victor students, including children with special needs.  Please refer to the Special Education Category Rules page included.  

Grade divisions

• Primary (preschool–grade 2)
• Intermediate (grades 3–5)
• Middle/Junior (grades 6–8)
• Senior (grades 9–12)

Art Category Descriptions

(see individual rule pages for details of each category)

Dance Choreography

Dance choreography entries must be original choreographed dance composition works recorded on a VHS videotape or DVD. The choreography must be the work of one student and must demonstrate creativity and interpretation of the theme.  There may be up to three dancers performing the choreography. The choreographer may be the performer or one of the performers, but does not have to be. Costumes are not necessary. If costumes are used, however, the choreographer must also create the costumes.

Film Production

Film production entry must be original works of fiction or nonfiction relating to the current Reflections Program theme. The entry may be with or without sound.  The student submitting the entry must be the director, screenwriter, and cameraperson. If using a computer, the student must do all of the work. If the student chooses to appear in the

production, a camera on a tripod may be used. All storyboarding, editing, etc., must be done by the student.

Literature

Literature entries may be works of fiction or nonfiction.  Prose, poetry, and drama are all accepted. The entry must relate to the current Reflections Program theme.

Musical Composition

A musical composition entry may be for voice, instruments, or a combination of voice and instruments. Lyrics may or may not be included in vocal compositions. The composition is not to exceed five minutes. The entry must relate to the current Reflections Program theme.  The use of composition software is permitted. Students are strongly discouraged from submitting highly edited MIDI sequences or audio files. The recording submitted must capture performers in real-time.  The entry may not include imported MIDI or other source files, or use algorithmic composition software.  Use of notation software for the purpose of creating scores and printed parts is permitted. Whether the score is handwritten or computer-generated, appropriate instrumentation and voicing are required for the performance.

Photography

A photography entry must be an original black-and-white or color image, or a group of images, produced by a photographic process. The entry must relate to the current Reflections Program theme.  The entry may incorporate such techniques as montage, multiple exposure, negative sandwiches, and photograms. Images may be manipulated conventionally or digitally.  Images should demonstrate the student’s proper use of photographic techniques such as depth of field and exposure. The images may be created using various lenses, filters, and light sources. Photographs with added graphics over the image, including lettering, are not acceptable.

Visual Arts

A visual arts entry must be an original print, drawing, painting, collage, photographic collage, metal etching or punch work, fiber work, or computer-generated artwork that relates to the current Reflections Program theme.