1
Honor
Wisdom
Leadership
Truth
Volume 1, Issue 2
Keshequa
The mission of the
Keshequa Central
School District is to
provide
opportunities to
empower all
students to be
cooperative, self-
directed lifelong
learners, prepared
to responsibly meet
the challenges of
the twenty-first
century.
January 2004
www.keshequa.org
Chronicle
To reach school district
personnel by email you
need to type their first initial
then their last name
@keshequa.org
for example:
pshaver@keshequa.org
A Message From the
Superintendent
I hope this issue of the Chronicle finds you enjoying the end of the holidays and ready to face the new
year ahead with lots of energy for the many challenges that await us. It will be another difficult budget
year in terms of the state aid we can expect to receive and trying to keep the tax rate increase at a level we
can all afford. You as parents and a community have voiced concerns about the loss of programs in recent
years, and our students deserve the best education we can give them within our
financial means. So the big challenge will be how to accomplish this. I
encourage you to read each newsletter to
keep informed about our progress in
developing the budget in the months ahead,
and as always I welcome your input at any
time.
The holiday season gave me an
opportunity to reflect on my first six
months in the District and I want to share
with you that I am truly enjoying my time
here. You continue to make me feel
welcome and I appreciate the fact that so
many of you feel comfortable in approach
ing me about any issues you may have or to
comment on our schools in general. We
want the education of our children to be a
partnership with you, and your candid
feedback is an important element.
Thank You!
Lucinda Miner
Interim Superintendent
Keshequa
Central School
District Goals,
2003-2004
No. 1 Academic Achievement
No. 2 School Climate
No. 3 Professional Development
No. 4 District Communications
No. 5 Facilities
No. 6 Technology
No. 7 Fiscal Responsibility
2
KCS District Goal #7: Fiscal Responsibility
New Business Administrator Appointed
At their regular meeting on December 11, 2003 the
Keshequa Board of Education appointed Dominic Aloisio as
Business Administrator effective January 5, 2004. He comes to us
with experience from the Watkins Glen School District and is
looking forward to being a part of our educational team.
Thanks again to Mike Mahaney for his numerous contributions to our district as
our Interim Business Administrator. We wish him well as he sets out to truly retire!
#7
Board Of Education News
Superintendent Search Update
The Board has received feedback from the community and staff via the returned questionnaires on what Keshequa needs in our
next Superintendent. The response was excellent and surpassed the response rates from other local districts. We have received the
information at our December 11
th
meeting and are in process of reviewing the information in detail.
The next two months will be quiet as we wait for applications from the advertising that is being placed in strategic publications
and at state level events. We plan to quickly narrow the candidates to six or less in mid February and interview these finalists by the
end of February. We will then narrow the list to three and involve the community and staff in the final interviews.
Once again, thanks for your input. We promised staff and community involvement to hire the best possible Superintendent for
Keshequa. Mrs. Miner has set the bar high for the successful person and we will not accept less.
Kevin Whiteman
President, KCS Board of Education
KCS District Goal #3:
Professional Development
Teacher Aides to Become
Teaching Assistants
The Federal No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act requires many teacher
aide positions to be filled by “highly
qualified” personnel. This means that
they must become certified teaching
assistants by:
•
Passing the New York State Assess
ment of Teaching Assistant Skills
Test
OR
•
Completing 2 years of higher
education or 48 credit hours
OR
•
Obtaining an Associate’s Degree
We are pleased to announce that
over half of our teacher aides will
become “highly qualified” by Septem
ber 2004.
#3
Show your school spirit
and wear our colors and Indian
proudly! Samples are on display at the Nunda Dry Cleaners, Arrowmart and at
school. Call Amy TherrienBorgus at 4682541 ext 2068 with questions.
Available sizes are S through XXL unless noted (add $2 for XXL).
Screen printed
(add $2 for XXL)
1. Long sleeve tshirts ........................ $15
(white or ash, not available in XXL)
2. Short sleeve tshirts ........................ $12
(not available in XXL)
3. Hooded/zip sweatshirt .................... $30
4. Sweat pants ..................................... $25
5. Sweatshirt & pant set ...................... $45
Embroidery
(add $2 for XXL)
1. Twill Sweatshirt
(black or ash) .............
$35
2. Black/Orange Hat .............................. $12
(We must receive 12 hat orders to place an
order for hats)
3. Hooded Sweatshirt ............................ $30
(black or ash – Indian on hood/left chest)
4. Polo Shirt
(black – Indian on left chest) .
$23
Your Name _________________________________________________________
phone # ________________________________
Make checks payable to KPTSA.
Return or mail to: KCS, Attention: Amy TherrienBorgus,
15 Mill Street, Nunda, NY 14517.
Orders due by January 30
, 2004
Item
Size
Cost
_______________________________________ ________________ _______________
_______________________________________ ________________ _______________
_______________________________________ ________________ _______________
_______________________________________ ________________ _______________
Total
___________
Order form
3
High School Regents/Local Mid-Term
Exam Schedule 2004
Mon., January 26 Tues., January 27 Thurs., January 29
Wed., January 28
Session One, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Session One, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Session One, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Session One, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Regents:
• English II, Part I
• RCT Math
Regents:
• English II, Part I
• RCT Science
Regents:
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Global II
• RCT Writing
Regents:
• Living Environment (Bio)
• Math B (Geometry)
• Course III
• RCT Global
Locals:
• PreAlgebra
• Algebra I & II
Locals:
• Applied & General Science
• Science Exploritory
• General Chemistry
• Physiology
• CellBio 104
Locals:
• English 12
• English 101
Locals:
• Global I
• Math 129
• Math 141
Session Two, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Session Two, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Session Two, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Session Two, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Regents:
• Math A
• Intro to Occ
Regents:
• French
• Spanish
• Earth Science
• RCT US History
Regents:
• US History
• RCT Reading
Regents:
None
Locals:
• Small Business
• Business Law
• Building Trades I & II
Locals:
• Economics & Government
Locals:
• English 9
• Home & Careers
• Housing & Human Dev.
• Parenting
• Health
Locals:
•
English 10
•
Psy 101, Hist 104 & Hist 203
•
Graphic Arts I & II, Tech
Draw
•
Communication Syst. I & II
•
Studio Art, Draw & Paint
•
Photo, Ceramics & Cartooning
Additional Notes:
•
BOCES students take scheduled exams. If no exam, attend BOCES.
•Students in grades 912 come for exams only, regular classes on Friday January 30, 2004.
•Breakfast will be served 7:308:00; Lunch 11:301:05. There will be regular bus runs.
Actress PattiLewis Browne portrayed
Elizabeth CadyStanton in a recent Middle
School assembly.
4
What’s New in the
Middle School
by Jessica Bedell, Middle School Counselor
The faculty has begun selecting students each week
whom they feel have acted as “Peace Builders” in the
Middle School. These “Peace Builders of the Week” have
demonstrated the qualities of peace, tolerance, and accep
tance of others on a daily basis. Every Friday these students
are announced on the KWW show and receive a certificate
commending their behavior. At the end of each month those
students who have received certificates will also be invited
to a “Peace Party,” which is held during the school day and
once again rewards “The Peace Builders” for being respect
ful and kind to their peers and the adults in the building.
The goal of this program to promote and encourage
positive behavior that students display in the Middle School
to make it a successful environment.
Keshequa Middle School District News
Submitted by Gary Collichio, Middle School Principal
Greetings and Happy New Year to our Keshequa school community. As we begin the second half of our instruc
tional year, academic expectations for students become better defined. This month, midterm examinations will
assess the progress our students have made thus far in the school year.
January 13 and 14
8:1510:20 in the café
NYS Intermediate Grade 8 English
Language Arts Assessment
January 20 and 21
Students will be individually scheduled
in room #3030
NYS Science 8 Lab Performance
Assessment
January 27 and 28
Double periods on odd (1/27/04) and
even (1/28/04) days
Local MidTerm Examinations
While it is true that everyone learns at their own pace,
learning
skills
are common throughout the grade levels. One of the most
academically important learning skills is the act of
listening.
Listening is a learned behavior. A good listener is able to summarize
detailed thoughts and follow multiple directions. It goes without
saying that good listeners are more apt to be higher achievers in the
classroom.
In one of my recent readings I found that:
•
55% of your time is spent listening.
•
Being a good listener encourages others to be.
•
People speak at about 150 words per minute and can think at about 400 words per
minute.
•
There is a difference between listening and hearing. Hearing is when sound waves
enter your ear. Listening is when the brain brings meaning to those sound waves.
We can all make ourselves better listeners, but it takes practice
and effort. Some easy tips to improve our listening skills are:
•
Concentrate on the message rather than the speaker.
•
Anticipate what is coming next.
•
Think about the presented material, mentally summarize it, and try not to daydream.
Middle School
Mid-Term
Examination Schedule
KCS District Goal #1:
Academic Achievement
Teachers Explore
Collaborative Team Model
All teachers K – 12 are organized into
curricular teams as well as grade level teams to explore the
Collaborative Team Model. This concept assists teachers
and administrators to develop goals by looking at data, and
addressing the three corollary questions:
1. What do we want students to learn?
2. How will we know when students have learned it?
3. How do we respond when students don’t learn?
By creating a collaborative culture in our schools, we
will be able to help teachers and students alike become
effective learners.
#1
5
Reflections Program
With the help of Lori Gray and the PTSA the Keshequa Central School district has participated in the
National PTSA Reflections Program. The theme this year is
“I am really happy when…”
to provide an
opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original
works.
The Reflections Program is a cultural arts program developed in 1969 by the National PTA to interest
children in grades preschool 12, parents, teachers, and communities in the arts. And, just as important, the
Reflections Program is a fun project.
Each year a new theme is selected allowing students to explore their thoughts and feelings through creativ
ity and interpretation. The theme must be reflected in the student’s work and clearly related in the title or subtitle of the entry.
Entries in the four art areas of literature, musical composition, photography, and
visual arts will be submitted through PTA channels, unit to council (if applicable),
District, State and National PTA. The Reflections Program entries must meet the
National PTA rules and regulations and be the original design and artwork of one
individual student. This year 177 students from the fine arts/music departments have
entries. Special thanks to Mrs. Coffey, Mrs. Strathearn, Mr. Raymond, and Mr. Bucur.
The opening of the Reflections show was held before the Holiday Concert at 7:00
p.m. on December 15. The awards were given out at the Elementary Holiday Concert
held at 7:00 p.m. on December 18.
Egg Catcher
Abijah Gath and Edith Rich design this year’s most creative “egg
catcher” machine.
In early December our physics class at Keshequa conducted the annual lab/design
activity in which the physics students were challenged to create contraptions that would
prevent a free falling egg from breaking after it was accelerated in a three story drop.
Abijah Gath and Edith Rich combined to design this year’s award winning device.
(Maybe the best in the 20 plus year of the annual activity). Their very creative counter
levered design also developed some festive seasonal spirit for their classmates as holiday
lights were switched on as the egg was successfully caught by their clever contraption.
After designing, building, and testing their egg catchers, students are also required
to complete a written lab report calculating the velocity, momen
tum, and kinetic energy of the free falling eggs and explaining
why or why not their devices worked in terms of the processes
and principles of impulse, applied forces, and
time.
Fifth Grade
Students Submit
Reflection Entries
44 Fifth grade students submitted
an original music composition to the
KPTSA sponsored Reflections Contest.
Last year, in fourth grade, the students
began using what they knew about
composition to create their own
original work. This year the students
put the finishing touch on their compo
sitions and then entered each note into
the computer so that they would have a
professional looking product. Entry
forms were then sent home for a
parental signature and 44 were re
turned. Students were very excited to
see their own compositions looking so
professional.
KCS District Goal #6:
Technology
Technology Use at Keshequa
Students in Grade 4 are creating Power
Point presentations with the use of pictures
and sound. A slide presentation was done for Open House on
October 16. Students are currently creating Science presenta
tions. Various teachers are posting samples of students’ work
to the Keshequa Central School District Website. You can see
some of this work by going to the website at
www.keshequa.org and clicking on the staff collection link.
#6
KCS District Goal #2: School
Climate
Student Assistance Program
A total of eight High School Teachers have recently
attended the Masonic sponsored Student Assistance Program
(SAP) in Utica, New York. This program assists teachers and
administrators in recognizing student’s barriers to learning.
The trained teachers will form a team designed to provide
direct intervention to students increasing their success in
school.
#2
6
A Message from the Elementary School Principal
The Key to School Success
It’s the most important activity a child can take part in to help him to do well in school.
What is it? It’s reading! The one factor that can be identified as common to all students who do
well in school is how much they read. It’s simple: the more a child reads, the better he or she
will do in school. Kids who are read to by their parents when they are young will be exposed to
words that will be used to explain things in school. The more words they know when they
come to school, the better they’ll do – the easier it will be to understand the teacher and other
students, and the faster
learning will take place.
Older students benefit, too.
Children get smarter when
they encounter words and
phrases in books and other
literature that they wouldn’t normally be exposed to in casual
conversation, on TV or radio or other every day language. This
helps them do better in all subject areas. So do yourself and your
child a favor: Sit down, open up a book and read today!
A bit of news: In December, Dalton Elementary School was
the proud recipient of a new American flag, courtesy of Ray
Snyder and the Mt. Morris American Legion Post 354. The new
flag is larger than its predecessor. It looks great on our flagpole.
Next time you visit the Elementary School, look up before you
enter and take note of our new starspangled banner – forever in
peace may it wave!
Fourth Grade
Scientists Study Plant
Survival
Mrs. McCarville's fourth graders have been busy
working on a project that integrates science and technology.
First, the class was given the question " What do plants need
to survive?". The students then broke into four teams. Each
team was assigned two plants and a variable to manipulate:
water, nutrients, sun, and soil. Over a fourweek period, the
students recorded their observations on a chart and also took
pictures of the plants with a digital camera. At this time, they
are busy working on Power Point presentations which will
incorporate their findings, supported by the pictures of the
changes in their plants. The class is looking forward to Mr.
Brett Miner, an education/technology major from SUNY
Oswego, to join them during the first week of January and
who will be helping them add the finishing touches to their
presentations. Eventually, the presentations will be posted on
Docushare for all to enjoy.
Mrs. Brickwood’s Fifth
Grade Class has
Energy!!
After studying kinetic and potential energy in Science,
the fifth grade students in Mrs. Brickwood’s class went to
the computer lab and put their knowledge to use. They had
to adjust factors such as speed, hill and loop size, and mass
in order to create a roller coaster that was exciting, yet safe.
What fun it was to watch as some roller coaster cars were
caught without enough speed and hung upside down on a
loop! It was a fun way to integrate computer class with
science.
Keshequa Gets a
Visit from Santa
and Mrs. Claus
Keshequa Central School received a special visit from Santa
and Mrs. Claus on December 23. For the past six years, as part
of a community service project and an integrated technology
lesson, KCS SchooltoWork Coordinator Shawn Bielicki has
conducted a Santa letterwriting workshop. Dalton elementary
kindergarten and first grade students wrote letters to Santa as
part of an English activity. Then, Mr. Riggi’s high school
computer students designed responses that included a picture to
be colored. This activity really tested their layout ability and
implemented grammar, spelling, and writing skills. “The
students really seemed to enjoy the activity. I think it brings back
memories how exciting it was for them when they were in
kindergarten,” stated Mr. Riggi. The responses emphasized the
spirit of Christmas – sharing and caring are what is
important. Of course, students did not promise anything,
but dangled the idea of getting something under the tree
continued on back page
7
Keshequa Indians 2003-04
Skiing
**All Races Are Held At Swain**
Date
Opponent
Time
Bus
Sat., Jan 3 ................ Giant Slalom ........................................ 10:00
Wed., Jan. 7 ............ Giant Slalom .......................................... 5:30
Wed., Jan. 14 .......... Slalom .................................................... 5:30
Sat., Jan. 17 ............. Slalomgiant Slalom ............................. 10:00
Giant Slalom .......................................... 1:00
Wed., Jan. 21 .......... Slalom .................................................... 5:30
Sat., Jan. 24 ............. Giant Slalom .......................................... 5:00
Thurs., Jan. 29 ........ Slalom .................................................... 5:30
Sat., Jan. 31 ............. Giant Slalomslalom ............................. 10:00
Slalom .................................................... 1:00
Wed., Feb.4 ............. Giant Slalom .......................................... 5:30
Tues., Feb. 10 ......... Section V Championships (boys) .......... 9:30
Wed., Feb. 11 .......... Section V Championships (girls) ........... 9:30
Wrestling
Date
Opponent
Time
Bus
Mon., Dec. 29 ......... KCS @ Genesee Valley Tourn. ............. TBA TBA
Tues., Dec. 30 ......... KCS @ Genesee Valley Tourn. ............. TBA TBA
Thurs., Jan. 8 .......... KCS @ Geneseo .................................... 6:00 4:30
Sat., Jan. 10 ............. KCS @ Notre DameBatavia Tourn. .... TBA TBA
Thurs., Jan. 15 ........ Pavilion @ KCS .................................... 6:00
Sat. Jan. 17 .............. KCS @ Hornell Tournament ................ TBA TBA
Thurs., Jan. 22 ........ Warsaw @ KCS ..................................... 6:00
Thurs., Jan. 29 ........ KCS @ Letchworth ............................... 6:00 4:40
Fri., Jan. 30 ............. Geneseevalley @ KCS ......................... 6:00
Sat., Jan. 31 ............. KCS @ Newark Tournament ................ TBA TBA
Tues., Feb. 3 ........... Crossover @ KCS ................................. 6:00
Fri./Sat., Feb. 6/7 .... LCAA Tournament @ Geneseo ............ TBA TBA
Fri./Sat., Feb. 13/14…Sectionals @ TBA .............................. TBA TBA
Girls Basketball
Date
Opponent
Time
Bus
Tues., Dec. 23 ......... KCS @ Warsaw ..................................... 5:30 4:15
Mon., Dec. 29 ......... Pete DiAngelo Tournament
JV Letchworth vs. Hornell ..................... 2:15
JV Keshequa vs. CubaRushford ........... 4:00
V Letchworth vs. Hornell ...................... 5:45
V Keshequa vs. CubaRushford ............ 7:30
Wed., Dec. 31 ......... Pete DiAngelo Tournament
JV Consolation ...................................... 8:30
JV Championship ................................ 10:00
V Consolation ...................................... 11:45
V Championship .................................... 1:30
Tues., Jan. 6 ............ York @ KCS .......................................... 5:30
Wed., Jan. 14 .......... KCS @ Perry ......................................... 5:30 4:20
Fri., Jan. 16 ............. Geneseo @ KCS .................................... 6:00
Wed., Jan. 21 .......... Warsaw @ KCS ..................................... 5:30
Fri., Jan. 23 ............. KCS @ Pavilion .................................... 6:00 4:30
Fri., Jan. 30 ............. Mt. Morris @ KCS ................................ 6:00
Mon., Feb. 2 ........... Dansville @ KCS .................................. 5:30
Wed., Feb. 4 ............ KCS @ Geneseo .................................... 5:30 4:15
Fri., Feb. 6 .............. KCS @ York .......................................... 6:00 4:45
Tues., Feb. 10 ......... BishopKearney @ KCS ....................... 5:30
Fri., Feb. 13 ............ KCS @ Avon ......................................... 6:00 4:40
Tues., Feb. 17 ......... KCS @ Dansville .................................. 5:30 4:30
Boys Basketball
Date
Opponent
Time
Bus
Sat., Dec. 27 ........... Coach “Tink” Macvean Tournamnent
JV Alexander vs. GeneseeValley .......... 1:00
V Alexander vs. GeneseeValley ........... 2:30
JV Keshequa vs. Warsaw ....................... 6:00
V Keshequa vs. Warsaw ........................ 7:30
Tues., Dec. 30 ......... Coach “Tink” Macvean Tournament
JV Consolation ...................................... 1:00
JV Championship .................................. 2:30
V Consolation ........................................ 6:00
V Championship .................................... 7:30
Wed., Jan. 7 ............ KCS @ York .......................................... 5:30 4:15
Fri., Jan. 9 ............... KCS @ CalMum .................................. 6:00 4:30
Tues., Jan. 13 .......... Perry @ KCS ......................................... 5:30
Fri., Jan. 16 ............. KCS @ Geneseo .................................... 6:00 4:45
Tues., Jan. 20 .......... KCS @ Warsaw ..................................... 5:30 4:15
Fri., Jan. 23 ............. Pavilion @ KCS .................................... 6:00
Fri., Jan. 30 ............. KCS @ Mt. Morris ................................ 6:00 5:00
Mon., Feb. 2 ........... KCS @ Dansville .................................. 5:30 4:30
Fri., Feb. 6 .............. York @ KCS .......................................... 6:00
Mon., Feb. 9 ........... KCS @ C.G. Finney .............................. 5:30 3:45
Thurs., Feb. 12 ........ Geneseo @ KCS .................................... 5:30
Wed., Feb. 18 .......... Dansville @ KCS .................................. 5:30
Modified Boys Basketball
Date
Opponent
Time
Bus
Tues., Jan. 20 .......... Letchworth @ KCS ............................... 4:30
Thurs., Jan. 22 ........ KCS @ Warsaw ..................................... 4:30 3:30
Sat. Jan. 24 .............. York @ KCS .......................................... 9:30
Tues., Jan. 27 .......... KCS @ Avon ......................................... 4:30 3:20
Sat. Jan. 31 .............. LeRoy @ KCS ....................................... 9:30
Tues., Feb. 3 ........... KCS @ Geneseo .................................... 4:30 3:30
Sat., Feb. 7 .............. Perry @ KCS ......................................... 9:30
Tues., Feb. 10 ......... KCS @ Letchworth ............................... 4:30 3:30
Thurs., Feb. 12 ........ Mt. Morris @ KCS ................................ 4:30
Sat., Feb. 14 ............ KCS @ LeRoy ....................................... 9:30 8:15
Tues., Feb. 17 ......... KCS @ CalMum .................................. 4:30 3:15
Sat., Feb. 21 ............ LimaChristian @ KCS ......................... 9:30
Mon., Feb. 23 ......... KCS @ Pavilion .................................... 4:30 3:15
Thurs., Feb. 26 ........ WayCo @ KCS .................................... 4:30
8
Keshequa Central School
P.
O. Box 517
Nunda, New York 145170517
January 2004
School Board Members
Theron Foote
John Gordinier
Patricia Kreuzer
Te rry Lowell, VicePresident
Randy Todd
Kevin Whiteman, President
Joyce Zeh
Lucinda Miner,
Interim Superintendent
Dominic Aloisio,
Business Administrator
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1
NUNDA NY 14517
KCS District Goal #4: District Communications
KCS Explores Football Program with Letchworth
The results of our recent surveys about the possibility of joining with Letchworth Central for a football
program are listed here for your review. Anyone who gave us their name to be contacted was invited to a
meeting that was held on December 3 for a discussion. Although the turnout was small, I believe they
represented the sentiment of the larger community. The consensus was that most people are not opposed to
the concept of football, but not if the cost was incorporated into the budget. There was a willingness to
support fundraisers instead. We are exploring some options that might help us to raise the needed revenue
as we continue to study this potential opportunity for our students.
Student Football Survey Responses:
Grade 6 .............. 14 would play football
Grade 7 .............. 10 would play football – not involved in a sport now
2 would play football – currently play soccer
Grade 8 .............. 12 would play football – not involved in a sport now
4 would play football – currently play soccer
Grade 9 .............. 11 would play football – not involved in a
sport now
2 would play football – currently play soccer
Grade 10 ............ 9 would play football – not involved in a
sport now
Faculty and Staff Football Survey Responses:
In general, I support the concept of combining with Letchworth
for the sport of football:
YES – 14 NO – 29
Parent Football Survey Responses:
In general, I support the concept of combining with Letchworth
for the sport of football:
YES – 24 NO – 66
Community Football Survey Responses:
In general, I support the concept of combining with Letchworth
for the sport of football:
YES – 10 NO – 55
#4
in exchange for being good at home or
at school. Mr. Riggi stated, “It’s
wonderful to have the students do
something for the Elementary School
because it makes learning both real and
fun. Also, I think the students are really
serious about making the holiday
special for someone else and that is
what community service really is
about.” A student accompanied Santa
and Mrs. Claus wearing an elf costume
and explained or read responses to kids
who struggled. Closed Mr. Bielicki, “It
would be great if Santa could spend a
whole day with the elementary kids, but
he must have a tighter schedule than
mine.”
Santa
continued…
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