CROCKER FARM
MCAS Testing Continues. Full MCAS Schedule (grades 3-6) for Crocker Farm is posted here: CF_MCAS
This week:
Tues 3/31: Grades 4 & 6, ELA (English Language Arts)
Wed 4/1: Grades 4 & 6, ELA
Thurs, 4/2: Make ups
Fri, 4/3: No School.
Book Swap Collection Boxes are now out in the main lobby & at the preschool entrance. The PGO is collecting children's books for all ages & are especially seeking chapter books for grades 4-6 readers. The book swap will be held on April 14th &15th.
ARPS
Wed, 4/1, 7 pm: Science & technology workshop - Makerspace, for students, at the ARHS Library. Sponsored by the ARPS Family Center and AmherstMedia.org. More info available here.
Wed, 4/1: Deadline for nominating students to receive an award at the African American Achievement Awards night on May 7th. Nomination forms are available at this link. (nomination_form). More info is available here. Please direct all questions to Kimberly Stender, at stenderk@arps.org.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
ARPS Family Center Newsletter: Winter 2015
Read the latest newsletter from the Amherst Regional Public Schools Family Center (link.)
LSSE Spring Trip to New York City: April 11
Saturday, April 11
Departs 7 am from Amherst Regional High School parking lot
Returns between 9 and 10 pm
Cost: $49 per person
Avoid the hassle of parking, and enjoying a relaxing ride to Manhattan on our Luxury Coach Bus.
You may spend the day as you please
Don't pass up this wonderful opportunity!
To register: 413-259-3065 or www.lsse.org
The Joy of Making Art
Ages 5 - 7
Wednesdays, Apr 1 - May 13
4:00 - 5:00
Cost: $119
Visual Storytelling
Ages 7 - 10
Thursdays, Apr 2 - May 14
5:30 - 6:30
Cost: $119
To register: 413-259-3065 or www.lsse.org
LSSE Drama Workshop Grades 3-5
Grades 3 - 5
Gods, Godesses, and Percy Jackson
Wednesdays Apr 8 - Jun 10, 5:00 - 6:30
Cost: $139 (plus $10 lab fee)
To register: 413-259-3065, or www.lsse.org
Come join us on Mount Olympus as we "try on" the characters of those fun and fasinating Greek Gods. What would it be like to be Zeus, Hera, Hades, Athena, Poseideon, or Aphrodite? We will also explore the characters of the Percy Jackson novels, integrating the ancient with the modern. Through drama games, improvisation, scene work, storytelling, and monologues, participants will have a chance to learn about and explore the mythical world of heroes, gods, goddesses, and bests. Art activities will also be included.
LSSE Youth Improv Classes grades 6-8
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Ages 11 - 14 (grades 6 - 8)
Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:00 PM
Apr 7 - Jun 9
Bangs Community Center
Cost: $124 (plus $10 lab fee)
To register: 413-259-3065 or www.lsse.org.
A take-off on the popular "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" show, this class will give participants an opportunity to hone their improvisational skills in a humorous, playful, nonjudgmental, and supportive setting. The acting exercises, drama games, and scene work are designed to encourage young actors to take creative risks, while increasing their improvisational comfort level and self-confidence.
Participants will increase their listening and collaborative skills, as well as verbal and physical confidence on stage. Participants will visit Hampshire College for a fun evening of Improv with Hampshire students and perform for a young audience. Informal demo at last class. $10 lab fee due at first class
LSSE Youth Flag Football Clinic: Registration Open
Mondays and Wednesdays, Apr 6 - Apr 29, 5:00 - 6:30
For boys and girls in grades 1 - 6.
To register: 413-259-3065, www.lsse.org, or email valerin@amherstma.gov
For the past five seasons, the Town of Amherst Leisure Services in conjunction with Amherst College head coach EJ Mills, Amherst College Football coaching staff and Amherst Youth Football volunteers have run an instructional program to teach the game of non-contact flag football to boys and girls of all abilities in grades 1-6. In his 18 year tenure at Amherst, Coach Mills has been named the Division II/III New England Head Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, the NESCAC Coach of the Year and the American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year. In the past five seasons Coach Mills has compiled an impressive record of 35-5! Come learn and develop the necessary skills and concepts of basic football in a safe and fun environment!
Kid-Friendly Dance Performance by PVPA
Academy of Music, NorthamptonSaturday, April 11, 2:00 pm
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Dance Department is putting on a special kid-friendly Saturday matinee performance of select works by PVPA’s highly accomplished student dance companies: WOFA (West African Dance and Drum), Catalyst (Contemporary Dance Company) and Momentum (PVPA’s newest company), plus guest artists performing a wide range of different styles from tap, to improvisation, to West African. This one-hour performance was created in partnership with PVPA’s Dance Education Laboratory outreach program! Children of all ages will enjoy this interactive and fun exploration of different styles and dimensions of dance. Come prepared to participate in the joy of dance!
Tickets available here:
http://academyofmusictheatre.
Academy of Music Theatre
274 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 584-9032 ext105
Email: boxoffice@
Website: http://www.pvpa.org
LSSE Volleyball Clinic Registration Open
For grades 5-8
Tuesdays and Thursdays at the middle school gym. Apr 7 - May 21 from 5:00 to 6:30
To register: www.lsse.org
This is a recreational clinic that will emphasize skill development, teamwork, and fun. At this clinic the focus is to build on fundamental skills for kids in grades 5-8. We hope to perfect technique so that kids are ready to take their game to the next level and potentially play in high school.
LSSE Softball Clinic Registration Open
Amherst Girls' Softball Clinic
For girls ages 6-12. Monday and Wednesday nights at the middle school and high school April 13 - May 20.
Cost: $59
Registrations are currently being accepted for spring recreational softball. To register, call LSEE at 259-3065, visit www.lsse.org, or stop by the LSSE offices in the Bangs Community Center.
This is a recreational clinic that will emphasize skill development, teamwork, and fun. The clinic is taught by Coach Keizer, who is a PE teacher at Fort River and has two years of experience instructing softball camps. Throughout the season we also have various high school and college level players volunteer.
Shaolin Kung Fu Center of Hadley -- Spring Programs
Shaolin Kung Fu Center of Hadley is running Jump into Spring enrollment promotion for new students:
10% off any enrollment- 1-, 3- and 6-month options.
Free uniform with 6 month enrollment
$29.95 to try unlimited number of 2 weeks.
Offers good through May 31, 2015
Hampshire Gymnastics Summer Morning Program
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Saturday, March 28, 2015
Benefit tonight for a Crocker Farm family
Benefit Dance to Support
Joseth, Jasmine, & Mayeli Alvarado
Tonight, March 28th, 7:00pm 12:00am
VFW Post 754 457 Main St, Amherst MA 01002
Donation: $10 pp (18+).
Monetary donations can be made to the William Alvarado Memorial Fund at any local Florence Bank office location.
Any questions, please call Victor Nunez Ortiz at (413) 695-4838
A GoFundMe site has also been set up for the family:
http://www.gofundme.com/pqijr0
Science and Technology Event for Families April 1
Discover Makerspace!
Learn how to:
- Design and build electronic devices
- Computer programming
- Solve community issues
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Amherst Regional High School Library, 7 - 8pm
For more information, contact Juan Burns at 413-362-1875
Sponsored by AmherstMedia.org
Public Meetings Apr 8: Amherst Transportation Plan Task Force
The Amherst Transportation Plan Task Force will be hosting two public meetings on Wednesday, April 8, to present the Draft Transportation Plan at the Unitarian Universalist Society Meeting Room at 121 North Pleasant Street.
There will be two opportunities for people to attend:
5-5:30 pm: for those who are in town at that time
7-8 pm: for those who are able to attend a longer meeting.
There will be a presentation by the consultant: Nelson Nygaard, and an opportunity for public comment at the end of each presentation.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
This Friday! Don't forget!
Come spend a delightfully informative, deliciously tasty hour at Crocker Farm this Friday morning (8:50-9:50 in the Community Room) with the three School Committee candidates and your favorite elementary school principal.
Want to read up on the candidates before you come? We're there for you. Click on each candidate's name (we put them in alphabetical order to help you out) and listen to their thoughts, hopes, and dreams for our public schools.
Want to check out the event on Facebook? Click here and let us know you're coming! We'll save you a muffin.
Want to read up on the candidates before you come? We're there for you. Click on each candidate's name (we put them in alphabetical order to help you out) and listen to their thoughts, hopes, and dreams for our public schools.
Lost & found up in the Crocker Farm lobby through this Fri
Many thanks to Ms. Bobbitt for doing such a wonderful job setting up the lost & found area in the lobby. The lost & found will be there through this Fri & then remaining items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center. Please do come take a look if your family is missing any clothes that went to school & never came home. Thank you.
Family Math Night - thank you!
A belated big THANK YOU to Ms. Lambert, the Crocker Farm math coach, & all the teachers & volunteers who helped make Family Math Night a success.
There was a great turnout -- 130 students plus their families -- & we've heard from many of them that they had a good time at the event. The Crocker Farm PGO is proud to help sponsor our school's Family Math Night.
There was a great turnout -- 130 students plus their families -- & we've heard from many of them that they had a good time at the event. The Crocker Farm PGO is proud to help sponsor our school's Family Math Night.
Monday, March 23, 2015
This Week at Crocker Farm & ARPS
Crocker Farm
MCAS Testing Begins. Full MCAS Schedule (grades 3-6) for Crocker Farm is posted here: CF_MCAS
This week:
Tues 3/24: Grade 4, composition
Wed, 3/25: Grades 3 & 5, ELA (English Language Arts)
Thurs, 3/26: Grades 3 & 5, ELA
Fri, 3/27: Make ups
Fri, 3/27, 8:50 am: Coffee with the three School Committee candidates for the Mar 31st election. Parents/guardians of children in any of the public Amherst elementary schools are especially invited to attend. Event organized by the Crocker Farm PGO. Event link on Facebook: HERE
Fri, 3/27: Last day for the display of all the lost & found items that have accumulated over the winter. Unclaimed items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center. Please come take a look!
ARPS
Tues, Mar 24, 6 pm, Regional School Committee Meeting, in the ARHS Library. Agenda items include discussion on regionalization & on data trends (enrollment, demographics, test scores, etc.) in the districts. The full agenda & packet of materials for the meeting is available at this link March24_2015_Regional_SC
MCAS Testing Begins. Full MCAS Schedule (grades 3-6) for Crocker Farm is posted here: CF_MCAS
This week:
Tues 3/24: Grade 4, composition
Wed, 3/25: Grades 3 & 5, ELA (English Language Arts)
Thurs, 3/26: Grades 3 & 5, ELA
Fri, 3/27: Make ups
Fri, 3/27, 8:50 am: Coffee with the three School Committee candidates for the Mar 31st election. Parents/guardians of children in any of the public Amherst elementary schools are especially invited to attend. Event organized by the Crocker Farm PGO. Event link on Facebook: HERE
Fri, 3/27: Last day for the display of all the lost & found items that have accumulated over the winter. Unclaimed items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center. Please come take a look!
ARPS
Tues, Mar 24, 6 pm, Regional School Committee Meeting, in the ARHS Library. Agenda items include discussion on regionalization & on data trends (enrollment, demographics, test scores, etc.) in the districts. The full agenda & packet of materials for the meeting is available at this link March24_2015_Regional_SC
Sunday, March 22, 2015
African American Achievement Awards Night May 7: Nominate a student!
4th Annual
African American Achievement Awards Night
Thursday, May 7
Amherst Regional
High School Auditorium
21 Mattoon Street
6pm
Parents/guardians, faculty, staff
and community members are invited to attend this special event honoring
students who identify as African American or Black in the Amherst, Pelham and
Regional Public Schools. Awards will be presented to students in Grades PreK-12
who have made accomplishments in the areas of academics, leadership, community
service, fine & performing arts and athletics. The evening will also
feature music, dance and spoken word performances and a special ceremony to
honor the ARHS Seniors who will graduate in June.
If you would like to nominate a student to receive an award, please complete
the nomination form and return by April 1. The nomination form is available for downloading at this link (nomination_form).
Please direct all questions to Kimberly Stender 413-362-1825 or stenderk@arps.org.
Please direct all questions to Kimberly Stender 413-362-1825 or stenderk@arps.org.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
SciTech Cafe, March 23: Why aren't more women in science?
When you think of a scientist, what images comes to mind? Maybe an man in a lab coat? Why, in 2015, are there still so few women in science? Prof. Kathy Aidala of Mount Holyoke College will share what she has learned about why this gender inequality still exists and what we can do about it.
SciTech Cafe is pleased to present the monthly discussion series: A scientist walks into a bar... and defies statistical odds!
Monday, March 23rd
6pm
Amherst Brewing Company
6pm
Amherst Brewing Company
Free and open to the public
Why Aren't More Women in Science?
• What is unconscious bias and how does it impact women in science?
• How are the challenges for women in biology different from computer science?
• How can we get more women in science?
Kathy Aidala, Professor of Physics at Mount Holyoke College, will tell us why gender inequality in science is still an issue in 2015 and what we can do to attract more women and young girls to the exciting world of science.
Please bring a friend and join us as we enjoy light appetizers, lively conversations, prizes and brilliant minds. This is an inclusive, family-friendly event and people of all walks of life are invited.
Coming Together Panel Discussion Mar 24th: Living in Amherst as a Person of Color
March 24th, 7 pm, Jones Library
A multi-racial panel of local people will share their personal experiences of growing up in, and/or living in, Amherst. This will be a special opportunity to learn how these members of our community experience the racial situation here. The panelists include Janaya Collins, Amina Jordan, Victor Nuñez Ortiz, Josh Odam, and David Ke; facilitated by Sovann-Malis Loeung and Caroline Murray. They will engage the audience in thinking about how we have all felt (in)visible at times. The overarching goal is for us to come together to create a more equitable and inclusive community. This panel includes some younger people than are often heard in the public discourse here. Please join us.
A multi-racial panel of local people will share their personal experiences of growing up in, and/or living in, Amherst. This will be a special opportunity to learn how these members of our community experience the racial situation here. The panelists include Janaya Collins, Amina Jordan, Victor Nuñez Ortiz, Josh Odam, and David Ke; facilitated by Sovann-Malis Loeung and Caroline Murray. They will engage the audience in thinking about how we have all felt (in)visible at times. The overarching goal is for us to come together to create a more equitable and inclusive community. This panel includes some younger people than are often heard in the public discourse here. Please join us.
“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. … When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed, everything and anything except me.” ― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
Coming Together: Understanding Racism, Working for Justice, Building Connections - a community-wide, multiracial project for the Amherst, MA areawww.coming-together.org
Educating the Heart: Author talk at Amherst College Mar 26
Educating the Heart: Behind the basics of a liberal arts experience, what kind of education matters?
Thursday, March 268:00 pm
Johnson Chapel, Amherst College
Free and open to the public
Support ARHS Hurricane Singers in Local Vocal Chord Bowl Mar 28
Local Vocal Chord Bowl #7
Saturday, March 28, 7:00 pm
Amherst Regional High School Auditorium
Adults & Seniors $12 Advance/$14 Door
Children & Students $8 Advance/$10 Door
Featuring the local vocal talents of:
Amherst Regional High School Chorale
Amherst Regional High School Hurricane Singers
Northampton High School Northamptones
University of Massachusetts Wicked Pitch
University of Massachusetts Sharp Attitude
Amherst College Zumbyes
The Wise Guys
Green Street Brew
The Connotations
Tickets available at the door and at:
A. J. Hastings, Amherst
Amherst Books, Amherst
Coopers Corner, Florence
State Street Fruit Store, Northampton
All proceeds will go to Music & Arts enrichment in the Amherst and Northampton Public School Systems
The Local Vocal Chord Bowl, now in its seventh year, is a community fundraising concert which has been produced and hosted by the Northampton-based a cappella singing group, The Green Street Brew. All proceeds from the LVCB have been donated to local, non-profit, community organizations.
This year's proceeds will be divided equally between the Northampton and Amherst school systems and earmarked for music & arts enrichment.
Brookfield Farm CSA shares available
Brookfield Farm CSA shares available. Delicious, naturally grown produce direct from our farm to you and your family – from June through November. Now is the time to purchase a share for the coming season: Visit our website – www.brookfieldfarm.org - to join online or to get more information. If you would like to speak with someone about our CSA shares directly, please call 413-253-7991. We hope you join us for the coming season! Not a school-
sponsored program.
Not a school-sponsored program.
Lift Every Voice Singers: Rehearsals begin Mar 31
The Lift Every Voice Singers
K-12 Chorus
The acclaimed Lift Every Voice Singers will perform at the African American
Achievement Awards Night on May 7. Students who identify as Black or African
American in Grades K-12 are encouraged to join this choral group.
Under the direction of Dr.
Richmond Ampiah-Bonney, the Lift Every
Voice Singers will learn the songs Lift Every Voice & Sing and To Be Young, Gifted and Black. The group will perform at the African
American Achievement Awards Night on May 7 at Amherst Regional High School
Auditorium (21 Mattoon Street) at 6pm.
Rehearsals are scheduled for March
31, April 7, 14 and 28 and May 5 at Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium
(170 Chestnut Street) from 3pm-3:45pm. Parents/guardians
are responsible for transporting their child(ren) to and from ARMS for
rehearsal.
If a student is interested in
joining this group, their parent/guardian should contact Dr. Ampiah-Bonney at mbondi@gmail.com or 413-992-7625. He can answer
any questions parents/guardians may have.
Save the Date: May 9 AEF Spring Sprint
Register now: Daffodil Fun Run Apr 26
Registration is now open!
The Daffodil Fun Run is a 5k Road Race Run and 1 Mile Walk through Amherst that raises funds for CHD's Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County.
In this fun and festive community event, participants race past many of the thousands of daffodils that were planted throughout town.
Last year the event raised over $45,000 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters - and we are hoping to top that this year!
YOU can help BBBS change the lives of our most at-risk youth by participating in this great event!
BE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY!
You can register at RunReg.com or in person at Energia Fitness or 50/50 Fitness in Hadley and when you register on site, you will receive a complimentary group fitness class card, valid at both locations!
We are limiting participation to 1,500 runners and walkers, so the sooner you register, the better!
*In addition, only those who register before April 1st will be guaranteed a FREE event t-shirt!
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd overall male and female winners!
1st place prizes for winners in each AGE category.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Lost & Found will be out at Family Math Night
Look for the all the look & found items out in the front lobby during Family Math Night. We hope to reunite as many of these items with their owners as possible.
love, your PGO
love, your PGO
Information on School Committee election candidates - & PGO Coffee with the Candidates on March 27th
The Amherst Town Election is Tues, March 31st, & polling places are open from 7 am - 8 pm.
Amherst League of Women Voters Election Forum
Thursday Evening, March 19th, 7 pm
Amherst Town Hall, Town Room
Candidates for Amherst Town Meeting & Town-Wide Office, including School Committee
--------------
There are 3 Candidates running for the two vacancies on the Amherst School Committee.
Recently each of these candidates recorded a short statement at ACTV. (The candidates for other town-wide offices recorded statements as well. They are all available on the AmherstMedia you tube channel.)
Links to these statements are below:
in alphabetical order:
Candidate Vira Douangmany Cage
Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgwKmuJBnWU
Candidate Phoebe Hazzard
Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFeqqJ4C9KY
Write-in Candidate Victor Nunez Ortiz
Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J78Z243WqE
--------------
The Crocker Farm PGO is hosting a coffee with the three School Committee candidates on Friday, March 27th, 8:50 am, and is inviting all Amherst elementary school parents/guardians to attend. Come join us to talk with the candidates and hear more about their ideas for our schools. Small children are welcome.
The coffee will be held at the Crocker Farm Elementary School, 280 West Street.
--------------
The Crocker Farm PGO is providing information on the election & candidates for informational purposes only & does not endorse any specific candidates.
Amherst League of Women Voters Election Forum
Thursday Evening, March 19th, 7 pm
Amherst Town Hall, Town Room
Candidates for Amherst Town Meeting & Town-Wide Office, including School Committee
--------------
There are 3 Candidates running for the two vacancies on the Amherst School Committee.
Recently each of these candidates recorded a short statement at ACTV. (The candidates for other town-wide offices recorded statements as well. They are all available on the AmherstMedia you tube channel.)
Links to these statements are below:
in alphabetical order:
Candidate Vira Douangmany Cage
Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgwKmuJBnWU
Candidate Phoebe Hazzard
Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFeqqJ4C9KY
Write-in Candidate Victor Nunez Ortiz
Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J78Z243WqE
--------------
The Crocker Farm PGO is hosting a coffee with the three School Committee candidates on Friday, March 27th, 8:50 am, and is inviting all Amherst elementary school parents/guardians to attend. Come join us to talk with the candidates and hear more about their ideas for our schools. Small children are welcome.
The coffee will be held at the Crocker Farm Elementary School, 280 West Street.
--------------
The Crocker Farm PGO is providing information on the election & candidates for informational purposes only & does not endorse any specific candidates.
Updated MCAS schedule
Here is the current MCAS schedule.
It can also be downloaded here: Revised_MCAS_Schedule
MCAS start the week of March 23rd for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders, & the week of March 30th for 6th graders.
March 24th: Grade 4, Composition
March 25th: Grades 3 & 5, English Language Arts (session 1)
March 26th: Grades 3 & 5, English Language Arts (session 2)
Crocker Farm School –
Spring 2015 MCAS Testing Schedule
Testing Window: March 23th - April 6th and May 4-19th
Testing Window: March 23th - April 6th and May 4-19th
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
March 23
|
24
Grade 4: Composition (1&2)
(make up 4/2)
|
25
Grade 3: ELA (1)
Grade 5: ELA (1)
|
26
Grade 3: ELA (2)
Grade 5: ELA (2)
|
27
Make ups
|
March 30
|
31
Grade 4: ELA (1)
Grade 6: ELA (1)
|
April 1
Grade 4: ELA (2)
Grade 6: ELA (2)
|
2
Grade 4: Comp.
Make ups
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3
NO SCHOOL
|
April 6
Last day for make ups
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7
|
8
UPS deadline
|
9
|
10
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
May 4
|
5
Grade 3: Math (1)
Grade 5: Math (1)
|
6
Grade 4: Math (1)
Grade
5: Math (2)
|
7
Grade 3: Math (2)
|
8
Grade 4: Math (2)
|
11
Grade
5: Science (1)
|
12
Grade 5: Science (2)
|
13
Grade
6: Math (1)
|
14
Grade
6: Math (2)
|
15
Make Ups
|
18
Make Ups
|
19
Last Day for Make Ups
|
20
|
21
UPS Pickup Deadline
|
22
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Schedule Changes:
·
4th
grade switches Specials with 1st grade on the following dates: 3/24, 3/31, 4/1, 5/6, 5/8.
o
4th
grade Specials will be at 2:20-3:05 and 1st grade will be at
10:35-11:15
·
5th grade switches Specials
with 2nd grade on the following dates: 3/25, 3/26,
5/5, 5/6, 5/11, 5/12.
o
5th
grade Specials will be at 11:25-12:05 and 2nd grade will be at
9:45-10:25
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