Reflections Submission Instructions

Reflections Submission Instructions for Councils and Local PTA’s without Active Councils.

Step 1: Start Early…

Do not wait until the last minute to submit entries. The deadline for Local PTA’s without an active PTA Council to submit first place entries to NCPTA is November 1st. The deadline for Local PTA units to submit to Councils first place entries is November 1st. Councils deadline to submit winners to NCPTA is December 6th.

Be sure to register your PTA with the National PTA for Reflections this year. All PTAs must register with NCPTA, as well as, with National PTA.
Register with National PTA here.
Register with NCPTA here.

Step 2: Check Good Standing

Verify your PTA or Council is in good standing. You will not be allowed to register or submit Reflections Entries if your Council or PTA is not in good standing. Also, Councils may only submit Reflections Entries for PTAs in Good Standing.
Important Good Standing Deadlines:
August 31- Financial Review Due in Givebacks
November 15- Form 990 submitted to the IRS and Confirmed in Givebacks
Dues are to be remitted for any outstanding members by the 15th of each month

Step 3: Preparation of Reflections Art Files and Forms

Start early and organize files ahead of time!

  1. Fill out Council Participation Form or Local Participation Form prior to submission.
  2. Verify all Student Entry Forms are complete. You will need to enter a complete Student Entry Form for each Reflection Entry.
  3. Convert all Reflections Art files to the proper format and save them to your computer.
  • Dance: AVI or MP4 file smaller than 200 MB. Video must not exceed 5 minutes in length.
  • Film: AVI or MP4 file smaller than 200 MB. Video must not exceed 5 minutes in length.
  • Literature: PDF file smaller than 3MB. Entries must be a PDF file or a Word file saved as a PDF file. Do not take a photograph of the literature entry.
  • Music: MP3 and file size smaller than 200 MB. Piece must not exceed 5 minutes in length.  Scores are required for middle and high school divisions. Score must be a PDF file. Do not take a photograph of the score.
  • Photography: JPG, JPEG, or PNG file smaller than 3 MB.
  • Visual Arts: JPG, JPEG, or PNG files smaller than 3 MB.
    • 3D entries must submit 3 files from varying angles

Double-check the file names of the student entries. Refer to Required Naming Convention for Reflections Entries.

Step 4: Enter Student Entry Forms and Upload Reflections Art Files

  • All units that have registered with National PTA and NCPTA for reflections by October 15th, will receive an email with next step directions on October 16th.
    Local units with a Council will follow their council submission procedures.
    Local Units without a Council will receive access to a school specific Google Folder, where the Reflections Chair will be responsible for uploading their first place winner entries and information into.

Deadline to register your PTA unit with National PTA and NCPTA is October 15th. No registrations will be accepted after October 15th. All entries to be turned into the next level of judging is due November 1st. Councils deadline to submit their winners to NCPTA is December 6th. No late registration or entries will be accepted.
Register with National PTA here.
Register with NCPTA here.

Helpful File Preparation Resources

If you have any questions, contact the NCPTA Office.

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