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MITCH Charter School

NEWS

We are Moving into October!

10/2/2017

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​MITCH was introduced today at our first assembly!  Thank you to the PSO for their hard work preparing for the MITCH Marathon on 
October 20th!

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September Board Notes
On behalf of the Board, welcome to new and returning students, families and teachers!

I would like to welcome, and thank, our new Board members Eric Rasmussen, Lindsie Bailey, and Todd Olson (Vice Treasurer).  Welcome back and thank you to our returning Directors Caitlin Blood (Secretary), Jacqueline Fassett, Jeff Demand (Vice Chair), and Karen Foreman (Treasurer).  We look forward to seeing you at Board meetings and work sessions.

We had a busy summer preparing for our charter renewal process, which begins in January 2018.  Our first order of business was to establish and implement new Board policies.  Check them out at http://mcs.k12.or.us/board-of-directors--policies.html.  We formalized our relationship with the PSO and have set in place ways to make sure that we are communicating with each other regularly. Congratulations and thank you to the new PSO officers!

Our 2017-18 priorities are:
  1.  Successful renewal of our charter
  2.  Updating our 5-year strategic plan
  3.  Fundraising
We are well poised to renew our charter successfully.  With leadership from Todd Olson and Melissa Meyer, we have begun the process of updating our strategic plan, and expect to have that completed before the end of 2017.  It will guide charter renewal.

Our fundraising activities will include a poinsettia sale, a Giving Tuesday appeal, and an event at Top Golf.  While MITCH families will be welcome to participate in these activities, the Directors will be tapping into our own networks for our fundraising efforts.  The Board, the PSO and Melissa recognize that your annual contribution is first priority followed by PSO fundraisers, such as the upcoming MITCH Marathon.
With our infrastructure firmly in place, we will be turning our attention to establishing broader and more strategic Board goals and facilities planning.

Feel free to contact me at dcapodacqua@mitchcharterschool.org.

Happy autumn!
Donna Capodacqua
Board Chair
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What's Happening
​Monday, 10/2

PICTURE DAY!
Uniforms required. If it's a PE day for your student, he or she can wear a polo instead of the PE t-shirt. PE shorts or sweats are still required.


Play.Fit.Fun. 2:40
Gym

Science Matters 2:50
7th/8th Commons Room

Tuesday, 10/3
Yoga for Kids 2:50
Room 1A

PSO Meeting 6:30
Gym

Wednesday, 10/4
Kids Like Languages 2:50
Room 1B
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Friday, 10/6
Family Contribution & Activity Fee ACH payments due

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We are moving into October next week!  OMSI came to MITCH this week to share magnets with our Kinders, while the 2nd graders made the first field trip of the year to the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.  And we've kicked off Student Leadership (great skit today, kids!)

In addition to your teachers and students actively engaged in learning, your PSO and Board of Directors are hard at work behind the scenes preparing both community events and fundraising activities. Finally, parents -- your commitment to MITCH is amazing: 640 volunteer hours have been officially logged into the HelpCounter for the school year.  While there are many hours which have not been added yet, you are giving more than 100 hours a week to support your children and the school. 

Thank you,

Melissa

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News You Can Use

9/22/2017

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Field trips, school visits, and CK Events begin!
The Loud & Clear Workshop for our 5th through 8th graders kicked off our field trips, school visits, and CK events which are essential to our program. Watch for information in the weekly teacher newsletters.


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One Way
Reminder: the parking lot becomes one way only at 7:20am and 2:20pm.  The first three parking spots near the front door are held open for 10-minute visits when you need to drop off or pick up your child outside of car line times. The PSO will provide signage soon! 


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Kids Like Languages
There are 4 students enrolled, but the club needs 2 more students to participate. Use promotion code 20OFF for $20 discount for classes.  

Here is the direct enrollment link:  
Kids Like Languages Sign-up
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Our own fried green tomatoes!
The middle school students fried green tomatoes harvested from our own garden which were delicious.  What a wonderful way to experience the fruit of hard work, persistence, and patience -- key traits essential to a successful life.

Watch for continued PSO information and emails about the MITCH Marathon -- our next big fundraiser and community building event.

Have a great weekend,
Melissa
Monday 9/25
2:35 Play.Fit.Fun

2:50 Science Matters

6:30 TTSD Board Meeting

Tuesday 9/26
2:50 Yoga for Kids

Wednesday 9/27
2:50 Kids Like Languages
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Friday 9/29
2nd Lan Su Chinese Gardens
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Featured Teacher- Mrs. Baker!

9/20/2017

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*** This is Mrs. Baker's weekly blog- just a sneak peek so that everyone can see the happenings around MITCH!***

Week 4


MITCH Marathon: 
 This is a fun participation event for all!  Good exercise for students, picture opportunities for parents and donation possibilities for your family members and neighbors.  Lets get into the spirit of the event!


At Home Volunteers:  An extra thank you to the parents who have been ripping pages out of workbooks and organizing work for our class for the school year.  It saves me countless hours for which I am very grateful and gives you volunteer time so don't forget to input your time!

OMSI:  The "Marvelous Magnet" program will be presented by OMSI next week.  They do a fabulous job of presenting learning opportunities in a fun hands on way.

Agriculture in the Classroom:  This was our first exciting week with Mr. Ketel and Agriculture.  We learned that there are 7 "F's" that we will be studying this year!  Farming, Fiber, Food, Fisheries, Forestry, Flowers and Fuel.  We looked at Wool samples and sang along with the familiar nursery rhyme 'Baa, Baa, Black Sheep', we even learned a couple of new verses that were added to our basic rhyme.  We drew our two favorite foods and left space to draw where these foods come from.  Mr. Ketel even challenged our students to learn to explain to you that cake is made from flour, which comes from grinding up wheat and that we should eat cake (pasta, crackers...etc) to support our Oregon Wheat Farmers!  We had a fun lesson with Mr. Ketel!

Coat Season:  It is time to start sending those larger raincoats to school.  Don't forget those labels and that they don't have to be blue or black as we only wear them outside.  If your student tends to be chilly in the morning it is still alright for them to have their black or blue sweatshirts/sweaters...Happy Fall!
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Only One More Week...

8/20/2017

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Why is MITCH important to your family?
Please sign up to share your story with the Tigard-Tualatin School District Board of Directors. If you have questions, email Seana Brewer at scott.seana@gmail.com. 

I look forward to hearing how MITCH makes a difference for your child.

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Student Support Counselor, and Ag Science & PE
Mrs. Dotson has joined the Tigard-Tualatin School District as a Special Education Teacher and while we will miss her very much, please join me in welcoming to MITCH our new student support counselor Lisa Espinosa-Boles.  Ms. Espinosa-Boles holds a degree in psychology and a master's degree in school counseling, and has taught at Chemekata Community College, the Silverfalls School District, and as a school counselor in the Salem Kaizer School District. 

Duncan Ketel is teaching more agriculture this year!  We are able to expand the agriculture instruction this next school year by integrating the middle school science domains with our growing Ag in the Classroom curriculum.  Mr. Ketel will also teach kindergarten PE, as well as Ag in the Classroom on a rotating basis for the elementary classes. Jenni Grady will teach PE for first through eighth grades.

What's Happening?

Friday, 8/25

Teacher Meet & Greet
1 - 3pm

Bring school supplies!

Saturday, 8/26
PlayFitFun Event
Kids Olympiad 
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Monday, 8/28
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
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Oregon Department of Education Report Card
ODE wants your opinion and is looking for community feedback about a redesign of the annual state report card. Visit ODE Report Card Re-Design Survey  to share your thoughts.

MITCH Community 
Our new Kinders are a bit more prepared for the first day of school, primary families now know which teacher will teach their child, and middle school students are really curious about the new locations for their lockers. It has been a successful week.

Thank you to every volunteer and parent who made this week a success.  We could not have done it without you!

MITCH families come from all over the world and we speak 11 languages. We are quite diverse, and yet it is what we hold in common which makes MITCH an incredibly supportive environment for our students. In preparing today's newsletter I overheard a conversation taking place in the hall which makes my heart sing! Two parents were saying hello, becoming better acquainted after the summer, and one asked where the other was from -- they exchanged countries and launched into a discussion of recipes.  Wow. All in a few moments.

While it may appear to have been simply polite conversation on the surface, I believe this short exchange between parents reveals far more about us than the fact we are well-mannered. We are people who naturally take every opportunity to build a strong community for our children  -- I witness over and over small acts of community building and know it is an incredible privilege to be a part of your children's education.

One more week!

Melissa 
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August Countdown #2- Only 2 weeks to go!

8/11/2017

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KINDERCAMP
Wow!  How is it here already?!  I am so sad summer is coming to an end, but so excited to meet all our new MITCH Foxes!

Kinder Camp Details
Dates: 8/14-8/16
Times: 8:00-11:00 am
Attire: MITCH Uniform
Items to Bring: Your little Fox & a snack every day

Drop Off/Pick Up:  
  • Monday walk them in for Drop Off and Pick Up
  • Tuesday and Wednesday Drop off and Pick up through Carline (we will discuss this at Morning Muffins)

Other Important Information:
Monday, August 14, 8:05 am  
Morning Muffins with MITCH PSO, the Executive Director, Vice Principal, Curriculum Director, Office Manager, and our School Secretary to learn all about MITCH!  Please plan on attending -- it is very informative.  We will be passing out pre-ordered PE uniforms so kiddos can wear them for their PE day on Tuesday.  PSO will also have a uniform give away/exchange set up.  There are A LOT of size 5's so if your little Fox needs some extra uniforms be ready take a look!

PSO Park Dates:
  1. PSO members will be at Tualatin Community Park after KinderCamp on Wednesday August 16th from 11:15-1.  Pack a lunch and join other MITCH families!
  2. The PSO will also be at Jurgens park on August 25th from 10:30-1 before Teacher Meet and Greet!  Pack a lunch and have some playtime before school begins!
  3. The PSO will be collecting uniforms at both events for another uniform give-away/exchange at back to school night

Vice Principal Maclean


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Charter Renewal Preparation
​We begin the formal charter renewal process in January, 2018. 

How can you help?

While there will be many ways for you to support and help, we have an opportunity which requires planning on your part and coordination on ours. Would you like to share with the TTSD Board of Directors how vitally important MITCH is to the community and to your family through their public comment process? Would you like three minutes to share your story?  Speaking to the TTSD Board of Directors is an occasion to share great things about MITCH!

If you want to help out this way, here are some thoughts about how you might frame your three-minutes  – and remember, I will attend the meeting with you. 

As you think about your three-minute comment, be sure to include
  • your name and role at MITCH, (parent, grandparent, teacher, etc.)
  • how many children you have attending MITCH and their grades,
  • how long you have been at MITCH,
  • if you live in the TTSD boundaries or another district, and
  • a short statement about the importance of MITCH for your family and why MITCH makes a difference for your children.
  • and be sure to thank the Directors for their time.
The PSO is coordinating the sign-up and scheduling which will be available at Registration and online, thereafter; here are the first semester's TTSD Board Meeting dates which all start at 6:30pm:

August 28, 2017
September 11, 2017
September 25, 2017
October 9, 2017
October 23, 2017
November 13, 2017
November 27, 2017
December 11, 2017 ANNUAL MITCH PRESENTATION
January 8, 2018
January 22, 2018

Thanks for thinking about sharing how important MITCH is to your family,

Melissa


OrderLunches.com is now BOONLI

Ordering lunches is simple to do with MITCH's ordering/payment platform. MITCH's families love using it, and this year the platform has a new look, feel and name. Over the summer, the service we use, Orderlunches, changed its name to Boonli and launched a new user experience. The platform still provides the same secure and time-saving features, but with some additional benefits.
 
Check it out at: https://secure.boonli.com/login. When you first log-in a quick tutorial will pop-up to walk you through the platform.
 
Highlights include:
  • The color-coded features make it easy to see at-a-glance how many items are in your cart, what orders have been placed and the total number of users with an order each day.
  • Like always, you’ll be able to star favorite items, so the platform will automatically select them every time they are offered.
  • After saving an order, if you’d like to copy that order to other users it’s as easy as a click of a button.
  • Navigation is simple – just click on the menu icon in the upper left-hand corner to open up tabs to your order history, profile, program information and help menu.
Lunch service begins September 5th, but you must place your order for the month by August 20th.
Students bring lunches for the first week of school. ​
 What's Happening?

​KinderCamp

August 14th, 15th, 16th
8am - 11am

New Family Morning Muffins
Monday August 14th, 8:05am
Please join us for muffins, coffee, and answers to your questions about MITCH!

Registration Days
August 17th, 8am - Noon
August 18th, 1pm - 3pm
 
Teacher Meet & Greet
August 25th, 
1 - 3pm 
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Back-to-School Countdown!

8/4/2017

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THANK YOU PSO for our new sign!



The PSO has been busy this summer -- just look at our new sign!  Thank you to all the parents and students who helped out with the July 30th PSO Work Day.  We moved lockers, painted walls, set-up the sign, and weeded the garden.

KinderCamp
August 14th, 15th, 16th
8am - 11am

New Family Morning Muffins
Monday August 14th, 8:05am
Please join us for muffins, coffee, and answers to your questions about MITCH!

Registration Days
August 17th, 8am - Noon
August 18th, 1pm - 3pm

Teacher Meet & Greet
August 25th, 1 - 3pm
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A Mid-Summer Hello!

7/21/2017

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PictureWHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT SOLAR ECLIPSE?
 ​It sounds like you are enjoying a wonderful summer with your families -- picnics, water-fun, bicycle rides, camping, cousins visiting -- these are just a few of the activities you've shared with me when we've run into each other these past few weeks.  If you have time, please join us for one of the School Work Days.

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School Work Days!
We need help with maintenance and Back-to-School preparations -- this is a great opportunity to get a jump on volunteer hours!  Eric Rasmussen, one of our newest Board Directors, has taken on the Herculean task of keeping the building in top-shape for our students and recommends you bring simple tools for work in the building and the garden. The work-days are on a drop-in basis, but it would be great to get an idea of who can help out.  THANKS!

RSVP or send questions to Eric at: erasmussen@mitchcharterschool.org

Sunday, July 30th, 8am to 3pm
Sunday, August 6th, 8am to 3pm

Hope to see you -- continue enjoying this beautiful summer!

Melissa

What's Happening?

School Work Days
July 30th, 8am - 3pm
August 6th, 8am - 3pm

KinderCamp
August 14, 15 & 16
8am - 11am

Registration
Thursday, Aug. 17th
8:30 - Noon

Friday, Aug. 18th
1pm - 3pm

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Weekly School Newsletter

6/21/2017

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STEAM Fair 2017
​Our Annual STEAM Fair is a phenomenal educational opportunity for our students to share with one another what they have learned this year in science, technology, engineering, arts & agriculture, and math.  Ask you child about their presentation  -- everyone spoke in front of their group! ​

What's Happening
​Tuesday, 6/20, 6pm
Kinder & 8th Grade Graduation

Overflow PARKING at KAISER

Use care in crossing Tualatin-Sherwood 
 
Wednesday, 6/21 Last Day of School -- FULL DAY
Students released at 2:30

PSO Field Day, 3 - 6:30pm
Ibach Park
Last Call For......
Lost & Found -- wow, there are so many sweatshirts, water bottles, lunchboxes left by children.  Make sure to check for your child's lost items.

Medicines -- pick up medicines by June 21st.

PE Uniforms -- order your shorts, t-shirts, or hoodies by June 23rd.

It's short week!

Melissa
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Weekly School Newsletter

6/2/2017

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2017-18 Teachers
The school leadership team has prepared Teacher assignments and the overall schedule for the 2017-18 school year.  Special kudos go to Shasta Maclean as our SG (Schedule Guru) – thanks for translating all the moving parts into calendars and excel spreadsheets.  And a huge thank-you to Sandra Ottley for designing a phenomenal middle school plan.  Finally, thank you Ashley Robinson for making sure we are always moving forward and for gathering the balls we may drop!
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PRIMARY & LOWER ELEMENTARY GRADES
We anticipate exciting changes for our Primary Grades with one change creating a dominoes-falling effect for the remaining classes. Mrs. Onstott and Mrs. Gates will share teaching duties for 1A, with the resulting vacancy in Kindergarten-A filled by Mrs. Baker. Therefore, we will have two teaching positions open in third grade, one of which is filled by Dr. Hudson who has been teaching in other areas in the school for much of this year.  We are currently interviewing excellent candidates for the remaining third grade position. Here is the line-up for the Primary and Lower-Elementary classes:
 
Primary
KA – Janet Baker
KB – Kelsey Meyers
1A – Rachel Onstott & Mindy Gates
1B – Rebecca Jackson
 
Lower-Elementary
2A – Brittany Hill
2B – Shelby Gill
3A – Beth Hudson
3B – New Hire
 
UPPER ELEMENTARY & 6th Grade
Sixth grade is designated as a middle school class with all the student responsibilities and rewards associated with this stage in school.  Nevertheless, we are creating an instructional team consisting of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades to ensure seamless instruction in the Core Knowledge Sequence and to support student needs in math instruction.
 
Upper Elementary & 6th Grade Team
4 – Dina DeYoung
5 – Jennifer Wytmans
6 – Karin Bury-Roller
 
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Like the exciting changes at the primary level, there are middle school transformations on the horizon. It is with incredible sadness that I let you know Mr. Simmons is not returning to MITCH next year – he has chosen to pursue other teaching opportunities. We will honor Craig’s service to the school and our students at the end of the school day on June 21st – watch for more information. 
 
We have thoughtfully examined how best to meet the 7th and 8th grade students’ developmental and social needs while providing an exceptional education.  We have designed a plan to teach the 8th grade CKS curriculum next year, followed by teaching the 7th grade curriculum in 2018-19; the combined class will be team taught by Sandra Ottley and Jennifer Grady.  We’ve planned the field trips, the Core Knowledge Events, as well as designating specific times for projects to better coordinate homework expectations.  Parents of current 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students have received a separate email accompanied with more detailed information about the middle school program.
 
SPECIALS TEACHERS
With the imminent development of the MITCH Frontier Garden, we have made a commitment to return to the integration of agriculture with the Core Knowledge Sequence by dedicating a half-time position to Ag-instruction.  Mr. Ketel will resume these duties while continuing to teach PE half-time with Mrs. Grady teaching the other half.  Finally, Mrs. Johnson is returning to Library Media Tech.
 
Here is our Specials Team for next year:
Kristi Dotson, Interventions Teacher
Jenni Grady, PE
Kirsten Johnson, Library Media Tech
Duncan Ketel, Ag-Instruction & PE
Sue Lau, Art
Ed Roller, Music

What;s Happening?
Tuesday 6/6
Yoga For Kids, 2:40

PSO Meeting, 6:30
Dr. Lukich's Visit

Wednesday 6/7
Kids Like Languages, 2:40

Thursday 6/8
6th CK Event: Astronomy Rocket Day

5th CK Event: Science/STEAM
Governance Committee, 6:30
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Friday 6/9
7th CK Event: Cyrano de Bergerac
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Weekly School Newsletter

5/19/2017

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MITCH Frontier Garden
July 24th, 7pm
City Council Hearing

​Our conditional use permit application for the MITCH Frontier Garden is complete and we have a hearing scheduled with the Tualatin City Council for July 24th at 7:00pm.

It has been a long road, but a huge thank you to Amanda Hoffman for helping us to finish this lap of the race.


Annual Board MeetingLast night's Annual Board Meeting was informative and productive. If you missed it, check out the results of the Annual Family Survey and the Executive Director's State-of-the-School Report posted on the web site under the Board's Highlights.   Meeting minutes will be approved and posted after the June meeting.  

The governing Board and the Parent Support Organization (PSO) are working together to draft a memorandum of understanding to create clear communication avenues between the two groups and to prepare a fundraising/event calendar.  Watch for more news in June about this collaborative effort. 

Three parents were newly-elected to the Board for two-year terms -- welcome to Lindsie Bailey, Todd Olson, and Eric Rasmussen. Caitlin Blood, Donna Capodacqua, Jeff Demland, Jacqueline Fasset, and Karen Forman were re-elected to one-year terms.  ​
What's Happening

​Saturday 5/20
PSO Work Day
9am - 1pm

Monday - Wednesday
Outdoor School, 6th Grade

Monday 5/22 
Science Matters, 2:35pm

Tuesday 5/23
Yoga For Kids, 2:40

Wednesday 5/24
Kids Like Languages, 2:40

Thursday 5/25 6-8pm
End of the Year Celebration 
OPEN HOUSE
Max's Fanno Creek Brew Pub

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PE Clothing orders are due June 23rd!

MITCH Charter School Resources


Enjoy the Sun!
It is tempting to let our focus wander since the sun has finally shown up, but there are only four and half weeks remaining in the school year -- let's finish strong!  Students are completing the state standardized assessments and need plenty of rest accompanied by a healthy breakfast to do well. And everyone needs extra water on the warmer days.

Sometimes I hear the thought "well, there really isn't any teaching going on at the end of the school year," which is not true at MITCH.  We are teaching through to the last day and encourage students learning until they walk out the door on June 21st.  No checking out!

Have a great weekend! 

Melissa
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Hours

M-F: 7:45 am - 2:30 pm

Telephone

503-639-5757

Email

schooloffice@mitchcharterschool.org
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