The PTA Reflections Art Program provides access to the arts and opportunities for recognition to help students explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas using art and to develop confidence and a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

The Reflections program aims to:

• Inspire students and families to creatively engage around the annual theme.

• Share resources to support families' artistic endeavors and access arts education opportunities.

• Provide student artists access to recognition and celebrations for their creative talent.

• Encourage continued participation in the arts.

As this will be the first year that the Mattos PTA will be participating in the Reflections program, we will focus on the Visual Arts category only and limit the medium to colored pencils (e.g., drawings, illustrations, sketches, etc.). We look forward to expanding our participation to include additional categories in future years.

Participation is easy and open to all Mattos students. Here’s how to get started: 

1. Review the Mattos PTA Reflections Program Guidelines and Submission Requirements document. Additional helpful resources are linked below.

2. Create your artwork using colored pencils, inspired by the theme I Belong!.

   1. • Important: Do NOT include your name or signature on the front of the artwork. Entries with identifying marks will be disqualified.

      • Follow national program requirements for artwork presentation:

        1. • Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including matting.

           • Paper entries must be mounted on sturdy material. (We recommend thick paper or multimedia paper.)

           • Framed artwork will not be accepted.

3. Complete the online entry form: Mattos PTA Reflections Student Entry Form.

4. Bring your physical artwork to school. Please drop it off at the front office during school office hours (8:15 AM – 3:15 PM).

5. Submit everything by the deadline: October 15, 2025

This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to reflect on what belonging means to them—and to express it through art. Whether they’re seasoned artists or just love to draw, every voice matters.

Thank you for supporting the arts at Mattos. We can’t wait to see what our students create!

Questions? Email us at reflections@mabelmattospta.org.

• Mattos PTA Reflections Program Guidelines and Submission Requirements (Mattos PTA)

• General Rules for Reflections Program (California State PTA)

• Visual Arts Category Guidelines (DOCX) (National PTA)

• Tips and Guidelines for Crafting an Entry (National PTA)

• Tips for Writing an Artist Statement (The Art of Education)

• Explore the 2025-2026 PTA Reflections Theme: "I Belong!" (Our Children)

• Meet Ben Morgan, the 2025-2026 Reflections Theme Search Contest Winner! (Our Children)

• Galleries of Past Reflections Program Winners in the Visual Arts Category (National PTA)

  • • 2024-2025: Accepting Imperfection

    • 2023-2024: I Am Hopeful Because...

    • 2022-2023: Show Your Voice!

    • 2021-2022: I Will Change The World By...

    • 2020-2021: I Matter Because...

    • 2019-2020: Look Within

Every year, the National PTA hosts an annual Reflections Theme Search Contest to select one original student-created theme to inspire student artists as they participate in a future PTA Reflections program. The national winning student will receive a $100 award and national recognition. Themes are selected two years in advance.

The California State PTA will submit five themes from students in the state to the National PTA for consideration. We encourage participants to explore the past 50+ years of winning themes (PDF) for reference and inspiration. Please note that past themes and duplicate submissions will not be considered.

Please visit the link below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until November 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM (PT).

• California State PTA 2027-2028 Reflections Theme Search

The following details are needed for the entry form:

• PTA District: Sixth District PTA

• PTA Council: Milpitas Unified

• PTA Unit Name: Mabel Mattos Elementary PTA

• National PTA ID: 11550672

• Street Address: 1750 McCandless Drive

• City: Milpitas

• ZIP Code: 95035

• Reflections Chair's Name: Ravneet Kaur

• Reflections Chair's Email: reflections@mabelmattospta.org

We wish you the best of luck!