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Students Travel to U.S. Department of Education for Ribbon-Cutting and Award Ceremony
| Source: National PTA
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - February 25, 2009) - The U.S. Department of Education and the
National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) honored award-winning students
for their works of art displayed from PTA's arts Reflections Program -- a
channel for students nationwide to create works of art for fun and
recognition.
Selected from the 2007-2008 Reflections Program themed year "I Can Make a
Difference by...," the exhibit opened Tuesday, February 10, 2009 with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Department's headquarters (LBJ Education
Building) in Washington, D.C.
The artwork is part of an ongoing art exhibition at the department and will
be open to public viewing through March 2009. Click here or visit
www.pta.org/reflections to view some of the artworks to be exhibited.
Students traveled from across the country to participate in the
ribbon-cutting ceremony. Among those in attendance were Jacquelyn
Zimmermann, U.S. Department of Education; Jan Harp Domene, National PTA
president; Byron Garrett, National PTA Chief Executive Officer; Teresa
Williams, National PTA Reflections Program Chair; and dozens of other arts
education advocates and leaders from across the country. The ceremony
featured a special message from U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan,
and a short performance by international multi-platinum recording artist
and National PTA Ambassador CeCe Peniston.
The U.S. Department of Education art exhibit program at its headquarters in
Washington, D.C., features visual art created by students in U.S. and
international schools, and provides students and teachers an opportunity to
display creative work from the classroom in a highly public space in order
to honor this work as an effective path to learning and knowledge for all.
To visit the "I Can Make a Difference by..." exhibit at the U.S. Department
of Education, contact Jacquelyn Zimmermann at 202-401-0762 or at
jacquelyn.zimmermann@ed.gov.
About National PTA (www.pta.org)
PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and
business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of
children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a
registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a
powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and
communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA
is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the
education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
About the Reflections Program
In its almost 40-year history, the program has encouraged millions of
students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore
their artistic talents. PTA believes all that children deserve a quality
arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression
through participation in its annual Reflections Program. The program offers
students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition.
Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of
art in four areas: literature, musical composition, photography, and the
visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print
making, and collage).
To view a media-rich version of this release, go to:
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2009/pta_022509/index.html