Reflections is a PTA program, and each school in Roxbury has a PTA volunteer who serves as the program coordinator for that school. In Roxbury over the past few years, the PTA Reflections program has really taken off at many of our schools, and each school seems to have found their own way to promote the program and recognize it’s participants. In taking a closer look at what makes the program work so well, it is obvious that many levels of enthusiasm, interest, coordination and cooperation are in play.
Many of Roxbury’s School Principals work with the Reflections representatives to find ways to encourage participation. From a Soccerama Tournament to a Chicken Dance (with the principal in costume) to principals talking to their students about the program, the students really seem to take notice when their principal expresses interest. While some students seem to be assigned project after project and may not be happy that a number of our teachers assign Reflections or “strongly encourage participation,” when they see their entry on display, many beam with pride.
It has truly been an outstanding year for Roxbury’s Reflections Program with over 400 participants districtwide. The 503 artistic interpretations of “My Favorite Place” range in subject from “In His Arms” to “Uncle Frank’s Pond” to “Toes in the Sand” and just about everywhere in between. County judging has been completed, and out of 43 entries selected to represent Morris County at the State level of judging, Roxbury students submitted 30 of these.
The benefits of all this teamwork are much farther-reaching than a certificate and a handshake. From an academic standpoint, this theme-based program encourages the same focused thought process our district teachers use but allows a child to explore an art area that may be new to him. Or at the other extreme, students are given the opportunity to submit an entry in an art area in which they feel most competent. From an emotional growth and personal achievement standpoint, you can see the pride on the face of an elementary school student when his or her teacher compliments the entry. You can feel it when you read a literature entry and realize that the student learned something about himself while composing it. You can sense that our children are learning that it is fun to participate and that their work is appreciated.
As district coordinator, I often hear of the program’s impact from parents. There was the eighth grader who had been unable to find an interest. Reflections was assigned, and as with most assignments, he put it off until the last minute. But as he began working on it and seeing it come together, he enjoyed the creative process. His visual arts entry was selected as a Morris County winner and shortly thereafter he asked his mom if he could take art lessons.
A few years ago when the theme was “I’m Really Happy When…” a seventh grader did a photo collage of her family at the beach. Again, a teacher had assigned this, and as part of the assignment the students had to present their entry to the class. Through discussion and with a little help from the teacher, this student realized that it wasn’t the beach that made her happy as much as being with her family and away from day-to-day distractions.
When the theme was “A Different Kind of Hero,” numerous moms and dads, and even some teachers, were thrilled to find themselves the subject of their children’s entries. That same year, a small pendant inscribed with “Never Give Up” which had been given to a boy by his grandfather served as the child’s entry inspiration. If we take the time to look at the entries and read what our children write, not only are we amazed at their talent, we are rewarded with remarkable insights.
Last year when we were removing the display from the Ledgewood Mall, several shoppers approached us and expressed their disappointment asking, “Can’t you leave them up longer? We love looking at these.” Our district village is comprised of many vital entities perhaps starting with those anonymous shoppers who take the time to appreciate our collective efforts. Teachers encourage their students to participate in the program with the support of school principals, assistant principals and board members who show their support in a variety of ways. From the parents and guardians who provide their children with supplies and encouragement and complete the paperwork, to the judges who make themselves available at a moment’s notice when a school’s participation far exceeds expectations. From the PTA Reflections reps who plant the seed of the program, to those students who by sharing their art allow the program to bloom, the Reflections program has actually afforded us all the opportunity to see what we can do when we find our individual strengths and contribute them to a joint purpose.
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All 503 district entries will be on display at the Ledgewood Mall in the corridor between Circuit City and Music Den from March 12 through March 31, 2007. We hope you’ll visit this gallery of artwork created by Roxbury’s K–8th grade students.