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School Year 2021-2022
Greetings from Owatonna Public Schools! We are excited to be together again soon for the 20212022 school year. Last school year provided challenges around every corner, and there is much optimism and excitement for a return to a more traditional school experience for all our learners and families. The official start to the 20212022 school year is Monday, August 30, 2021. • K-5 students and families will have before school interviews on August 26, 30 and 31. The first day of school will be on Wednesday, September 1. • 6th grade students will have orientation on Monday, August 30. 6th-8th grade students’ first day of school will be Tuesday, August 31. • 9th-12th grade students will begin school on Monday, August 30. Families interested in an online learning option for the 2021-2022
school year should visit our website owatonnaonline.isd761.org for Owatonna Online enrollment details. A big thank you to Owatonna Public Schools work crews and custodial staff for their work to improve and prepare our learning environments and keep them safe. Also thank you to the student nutrition team for their work to feed students and families over the summer. The work behind the scenes is immense and much appreciated. This summer, we hosted the largest number of summer school students in our history. Opportunities for all learners at every grade level provided both a bridge and expansion of learning to help us transition into the school year. Thank you to our committed instructional, support staff and administration for their work in creating and implementing these unique experiences.
Over the past 5-6 months, our staff and school board has been working diligently to reframe the strategic roadmap and operational plan for our district moving forward. We spent time collecting feedback from parents, students and staff to identify the “desired daily experience” from all perspectives in an effort to improve our practices and continue to move our district and community forward. I want to thank our community for their continued partnership and support for our school district.
Health and Safety Protocols The Safe Learning Plan that was in place last school year has expired. COVID-19 cleaning protocols will remain in place across Owatonna Public Schools, but several of the requirements that were in place due to COVID-19 are no longer in effect. For example: • Face coverings for all students and staff will be recommend-
Owatonna Public Schools Welcomes New Principal at Washington Elementary
ed (not required) in school. • Face coverings are required on school buses for every student and adult. • Isolation time for students or staff who contract COVID-19 is 10 days with no testing requirement to return to school. Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and a full list of health and safety guidance will be shared with students and families as the school year gets closer or as conditions change. As we emerge from the pandemic, I am excited to see our students and re-engage learning in Mrs. Libby Zeman has been hired as the new principal at Washingour ongoing mission to Inspire Exton Elementary. Mrs. Zeman has been an employee of Owatonna Pubcellence for Every Learner, Every lic Schools for 16 years, working as a teacher, a Teaching and Learning Day! Coach at McKinley, and then as Interim Principal at Lincoln Elementary. She has a passion for supporting all learners by providing for their Jeff Elstad, Superintendent academic and social-emotional needs. She builds strong relationships Owatonna Public Schools and has a child-centered approach. She believes building strong partnerships between families and the school are vital to the success of our students. Welcome to Washington, Mrs. Zeman!
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Thank You Team Members, Retirees, and Owatonna Community!
Celebrating Years
THE PRODUCTS THAT DEFINE
PERFORMANCE
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Virtual Learning Option Available for Fall Did your student thrive in an online learning environment last school year? Would a more flexible school schedule benefit your family? If you said yes to any of these questions, Owatonna Online is right for you. Owatonna Online is a state-approved K-12 online public school open to all Minnesota students free of charge. Some of the benefits: • A computer/device provided to all students - and internet access for those who need it • Combination of live and independent learning opportunities • Online courses that meet all the Minnesota educational and high school graduation requirements • Support from licensed Owatonna Public Schools staff • Whole class and small group live sessions • Playlist of activities to complete independently • Learning Coach support to ensure success at home • Regular one-on-one check-ins with the classroom teacher
To enroll or to learn more about this accredited online school that is supported by our licensed Owatonna Public Schools teachers, please visit owatonnaonline.isd761.org.
Celebrating MoMents in extraordinary tiMes www.jostens.com
Current High School Site
Owatonna Public Schools has received input from the community to help write the next chapter for the current high school campus. In November 2019, the community voted to build a new high school and to allocate $8M toward repurposing the current high school campus for school district
and/or community needs. Engage Owatonna offered the District a platform to gather ideas from community members to help decide how the current Owatonna High School property will be used and supported. District administration has collected ideas and will now engage
in exploring the viability of the ideas and prioritizing them. The information will be provided to a newly commissioned community member task force that will be established this fall.
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Image: New high school rendering (submitted photo)
New High School Construction Update
As promised, the school district turned to community members to assist with the concept and final design of the new high school, and construction has begun! The threestory high school will contain new classrooms, state-of-the-art industrial arts labs and shop spaces, an 825-seat auditorium, a four court gymnasium with a second level walking track, and a large commons/cafeteria space in the center of the building. The new high school will be located on a 90-acre site in Southeast Owatonna with
parking lots for 890 vehicles. The project also includes a 3,481-seat stadium, eight tennis courts, four multi-sport practice fields, two softball fields, two baseball fields, and a synthetic turf stadium field surrounded by a nine lane track. The community can monitor
Photo: Students representing each of the first classes of the new Owatonna High School during the groundbreaking ceremony in May (submitted photo)
construction progress by visiting the school district website www. isd761.org and clicking on “New High School.” Photos as well as time-lapse videos will continue
to be updated on the website support for the school district and throughout the project. the new high school facility. Staff and students of Owatonna Public Schools remain grateful for the community’s partnership and
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Before School Interviews
Owatonna Public Schools is committed to creating strong student and family relationships and fostering a positive first experience. Students in grades K-5 will start next school year on Wednesday, September 1st to allow time for before school interviews to take place. Before school interviews allow teachers to meet individually for 30-40 minutes with students
and parents before the start of the school year. All kindergarten students will sign up for an individual 30-minute interview conference time on either Thursday, August 26th or Monday, August 30th. All students, grades 1-5, will sign up for an individual 40-minute interview conference time either on Thursday, August 26th, Monday, August 30th or Tuesday, August 31st.
Students will meet one on one with their teacher for approximately 40 minutes to learn more about them and assess their reading level. Parents will complete paperwork during this time. Following the teacher meeting, students will stop at stations to complete FASTBridge reading assessment and school pictures. Students in grades 1-4 will also complete their vision and hearing screening. The teachers are
you make that decision: • If the student has a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal (without fever reducing medicine). • If the student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode. Should your child stay home • If the student has any from school? Here are some guidelines to help rash that may be disease-related or
the cause is unknown, check with the family physician before sending the student to school. • If the student is ill at home, please call the school attendance line daily to report the reason for the absence. It is helpful to report specific symptoms and/or diagnoses.
looking forward to getting to know your child better at the beginning of the year. Watch for an email to be sent after August 9 with your child’s teacher’s name and a link to sign up online for an interview time. If you have questions about signing up for a time, please contact your elementary building office.
Lincoln Elementary 507-444-8100
McKinley Elementary 507-444-8200
Washington Elementary 507-444-8300
Wilson Elementary 507-444-8400
Important Reminders from Health Services
To enable the school to give your child proper health care, the school nurse’s office welcomes any health communications or questions related to the health of your child. A licensed practical nurse is in the office from 7:45 until 2:45 each school day.
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Professional eye care services and products for all your family’s vision needs. Dr. Nick Vincelli • Dr. Penny Vizina Dr. Eric Dillinger • Dr. Shawnee Sovell
Medication Medications are given with doctor’s orders AND parent signature ONLY. This includes overthe-counter medications such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Permission slips are available at the nurse’s office, on the school district website, or at the Owatonna Clinic. All medications are to be brought to school and picked up by an adult to avoid problems and to ensure safety. Medications must come in their original container. We will not administer medications that come in alternate containers (see policy 516 on our website).
ceived immunization against a number of diseases or file a legal exemption with the school. Immunizations are due prior to the first day of school. Students transferring into the Owatonna Public School District after the first day of school must provide immunization information and be in compliSchool Immunizations: Is your ance within 30 days. child ready for school? Students entering 12th grade for To go to school in Minnesota, the 2021-2022 school year are restudents must show they’ve re- quired to have documentation or
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a legal exemption for the booster dose of the meningococcal vaccine. (Most children received the initial dose of this vaccine when they entered 7th grade). For a list of required immunizations, please visit our website (www.isd761.org) or the Minnesota Department of Health’s website (health.state.mn.us).
people may not have any symptoms. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about symptoms. Refer to the Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms, found on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website (health. state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/exguide.pdf).
COVID-19 If you are feeling sick, stay home. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after you are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms, and some
COVID-19 Basic Principles • Sick students, teachers and staff should not come to school. • Enforce regular handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. • Disinfect & clean daily: schools and highly used objects and surfaces • Social distancing • Wear cloth face coverings as recommended by MDH/MDE and your local leadership.
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Important Reminders from Nutrition Services Breakfast and lunch meals are free to all students through the end of the 2021-22 school year due to a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowing us to operate the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) during this time. Breakfast and Lunch Nutrition Services strives to offer students a variety of healthy, tasty, and high-quality foods to fuel their growing bodies. Students are encouraged to actively participate in our meal program by eating breakfast and/or lunch and providing feedback about the meals. Each school meal offers milk, fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains, making each meal a great value and convenience for busy families. Milk is provided with each breakfast and lunch meal. If students wish to purchase a carton with their cold lunch from home or a second milk with their meal, they must have funds
in their account. The cost is $0.45 on the east side of the building. per carton. Payments may also be turned in at your child’s school, or you may use Special Dietary Needs the automated phone system by Forms for special dietary needs calling 800-420-3478. and lactose-reduced milk can be found on our website: isd761.org/ Apply for Educational Benefits district-services/nutrition-servic- Breakfast and lunch meals are es. Please call 507-444-8629 with free to all students again this school any questions. year. However, we ask that all families continue to complete an ApManaging Your Student’s Meal plication for Educational Benefits Account to determine if your children are Students must have funds in eligible for other benefits, such their student meal account to as reduced rates for activity fees purchase a la carte items. MyPay- and Pandemic Electronic Benefit mentsPlus.com is an online ser- Transfer (P-EBT) benefits. These vice providing convenience and applications also help provide information you need to manage critical funding for educational your student’s meal account. To set interventions, school social workup an account, log on to mypay- ers and counselors, and instrucmentsplus.com or download the tional materials. Visit isd761.org/ MyPaymentsPlus mobile app. You district-services/nutrition-services can obtain your student’s ID for and click the “Application for Eduset-up by calling the Nutrition Ser- cational Benefits” tab on the left. vices department at 507-444-8616. Paper copies are available at the There is also a drop box for meal District Office. Applications may account payments outside the Dis- be submitted any time throughout trict Office, 515 West Bridge Street, the school year.
Unpaid Meal Account Charges and Debt Collection Procedures Negative balances should be paid off, and prepayments made to your student’s account prior to the first day of school if your child in-
tends to purchase a la carte items. The District will make efforts to communicate with families to resolve unpaid meal charges. For more information, visit isd761. org/district-services/nutrition-services.
Job Opportunities Do you have a passion for good nutrition and working with kids? For substitute or full and part-time positions, apply online at isd761. org.
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Stay Connected and Up-To-Date! School Board Meeting Calendar
The School Board is an elected body formed by Minnesota law to conduct the business of the school district at open meetings, which the public may observe, with specific exceptions such as negotiation strategy or litigation (see policy 205, Open Meetings and Closed Meetings, on the school district website). In the interest of open communications and hearing the concerns and views of the public, the School Board gives the public an opportunity to address the Board in the “Public Forum” portion of the regular business meetings. Guidelines for public forum
eNewsletter OPS News is a periodic email to Owatonna Public Schools parents and community members. This e-newsletter is designed to give you updates can be found on the school district on district happenings. Visit www.isd761.org/our-district/news to sign website: www.isd761.org/our-dis- up for our e-newsletter. trict/school-board/meeting-dates. Owatonna Public Schools board meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Board Room at the District Office (515 West Bridge Street) with some exceptions. Typically, the second Monday of the month is a work session and the fourth Monday of the month is the regular business meeting. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed and changes will be updated on the school district website.
2021-2022 School Board Meeting Dates
Updates to the schedule will be posted on the school district website: www.isd761.org
Monday, August 30, 2021 Monday, September 13, 2021 (work session) Monday, September 27, 2021 Monday, October 11, 2021 (work session) Monday, October 25, 2021 Monday, November 8, 2021 (work session) Monday, November 22, 2021 Monday, December 13, 2021 Monday, January 3, 2022 (organizational meeting/work session) Monday, January 24, 2022 Monday, February 14, 2022 (work session) Monday, February 28, 2022 Monday, March 14, 2022 (work session) Monday, March 21, 2022 Monday, April 11, 2022 (work session) Monday, April 25, 2022 Monday, May 9, 2022 (work session) Monday, May 23, 2022 Monday, June 13, 2022 (work session) Monday, June 27, 2022 Monday, July 11, 2022 Monday, August 8, 2022 (work session) Monday, August 22, 2022
Social Media Celebrate our students, our staff and our schools by following us on social media. If you like what you see, be sure to share it with others. Together, we are #OwatonnaProud!
@Owatonna761
School Contact Information OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS District Office: 507-444-8600 Nutrition Services: 507-444-8616 Enrollment Office: 507-444-7900 Community Ed: 507-444-7900 Student Technology Assistance: 507-444-8630 Website: www.isd761.org Owatonna Bus Company: 507-451-5262
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (507) 444-8100 Attendance Line: (507) 444-8105 MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY (507) 444-8200 Attendance Line: (507) 444-8205
WILSON ELEMENTARY (507) 444-8400 Attendance Line: (507) 444-8405
MIDDLE SCHOOL (507) 444-8700 Attendance Line: (507) 444-8705 Activities/Kids First: WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY (507) 444-8504 (507) 444-8300 Attendance Line: ECSE/PRE-K (507) 444-8305 (507) 444-8050
HIGH SCHOOL (507) 444-8800 Attendance Line: (507) 444-8805 Activities Office: (507) 444-8988 ALC (507) 444-8000 Attendance Line: (507) 444-8005 VPK/LITTLE LEARNERS/ECFE (507) 444-7900
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We Are Looking for Great Community Education People to Join Our Team
Watch for upcoming Community Education events and brochures! Arriving soon in your mailbox will be Owatonna Public Schools is a information for Early Childhood Family Education, Adult/Youth Enrichment, and Adult Basic Education. Fall special events are posted on the Community Education website: communityed.isd761.org/our-school/special- vibrant school community servevents. Registration for Early Childhood Family Education begins on August 27. Registration for Adult/Youth ing nearly 5,000 students in South Central Minnesota. Our District’s Enrichment begins September 8. mission - Inspiring Excellence - Every Learner, Every Day - provides our focus to meet the unique and varied needs of each scholar and educator. Owatonna Public Schools is known for creating a culture of caring, belief in each other, equity, innovation, collaboration, creativity and pride. We are working to create a culture where each educator has the freedom and flexibility to try something different. Why is For more information or to register, visit communityed.isd761.org or call 507-444-7900. this important? It’s not only about trying something new. It’s about increasing each scholar’s engagement and learning by continually enhancing the work we ask students to do. It’s about enriching our relationships with families and
Some special events include: • August 30: 55+ Driver Discount Program • September 24-26: Black Hills Photo Shootout • October 27: Music Man at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre • November 8-12: Holiday Branson Tour
our community, and how they experience our schools and systems. It’s about every learner, every day. Do you think differently about education? Do you have innovative ideas about how 21st century scholars learn? Do you want to work in an environment where
ALL means ALL? If this is the type of work environment you want to work in, visit our website (www. isd761.org) and view open positions to learn if Owatonna Public Schools is the place you want to work to make a difference.
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Annual Notices
District Harassment Policy The Owatonna School District is committed to having a positive learning and working environment for students and employees and prohibits harassment or violence by or against students or employees on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or disability. The school district encourages students, parents and employees to work together to prevent acts of harassment of any kind as well. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of harassment or violence or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute harassment or violence should report the alleged acts immediately to the building principal or to the school district’s human rights officer(s). Director of Human Resources Director of Special Services 515 W. Bridge St. Owatonna, MN 55060 hr@isd761.org Phone: (507) 444-8600
The school district takes such matters very seriously and will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of reports of harassment. Students or employees who engage in harassment in violation of the school district’s policies will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion/exclusion or termination of employment. A complete copy of school district Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence) may be found on the district website: www.isd761.org or may be obtained at the District Office. Public Notice Regarding Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records Pursuant to applicable law, Independent School District No. 761 gives notice to parents of students currently in attendance in the school district, and eligible students currently in attendance in the school district, of their rights regarding “directory information.” “Directory information” includes the following information relating to a student: the student’s name, address, photograph, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status (i.e., full-time or parttime), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, and honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. “Directory information” does not include a student’s social security number, a student’s identification number (ID) or user ID or other unique personal identifier, identifying information on a student’s religion, race, color, social position or nationality, or data collected from non-public school students.
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a. The information listed above shall be public information which the school district may disclose from the education records of a student. b. c.
Should the parent of a student or the student so desire, any or all of the listed information will not be disclosed without the parent’s or eligible student’s prior written consent except to school officials as provided under federal law.
In order to make any or all of the directory information listed above “private” (i.e. subject to consent prior to disclosure), the parent or eligible student must make a written request to the building principal by October 1. This written request must 8. Income, other than as required by law to include the following information: determine program eligibility. (1) Name of student and parent, as appropriate; ∙Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student (2) Home address; out of – (3) School presently attended 1. Any other protected information survey, by student; regardless of funding; (4) Parent’s legal relationship to student, 2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical if applicable; exam or screening required as a condition (5) Specific category or categories of attendance, administered by the school or of directory information which its agent, and not necessary to protect is not to be made public without the immediate health and safety of a student, the parent’s or eligible student’s except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis prior written consent. screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under Notification of Rights Under the Protection of State law; and Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) 3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from PPRA affords parents of elementary and secondary students for marketing or to sell or students certain rights regarding the conduct of sur otherwise distribute the information to veys, collection and use of information for marketing others. (This does not apply to the purposes, and certain physical exams. These include, collection, disclosure, or use of personal but are not limited to, the right to: information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, ∙ Consent before students are required to submit to or providing educational products or a survey that concerns one or more of the following services for, or to, students or educational protected areas (“protected information survey”) if institutions.) the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)– ∙Inspect, upon request and before administration or use – 1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; 1. Protected information surveys of students 2. Mental or psychological problems of the and surveys created by a third party; student or student’s family; 2. Instruments used to collect personal 3. Sex behavior or attitudes; information from students for any of the 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or above marketing, sales, or other distribution demeaning behavior; purposes; and 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom 3. Instructional material used as part of respondents have close family relationships; the educational curriculum. 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; These rights transfer from the parents to a student 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under of the student or student’s parent; or State law.
Independent School District #761 will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Independent School District #761 will also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. Independent School District #761 will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this direct notification requirement: • Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing, sales, or other distribution. • Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED. • Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.
Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202
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Emergency Procedures
Should an emergency situation arise in our combe picked up at a designated reunification clement weather, there are multiple ways that families munity and /or one of our schools while school is location by an adult who has been identified are informed: in session, we want you to be aware that the schools as a student’s emergency contact. Check the have made preparations to respond effectively and apparent portal to review your emergency Website propriately to such situations. The Owatonna Public contacts. An announcement will appear on the OwaSchool District has a detailed emergency plan that has 4. You can expect the school district to tonna Public Schools main website page: www. been formulated to provide direction to staff and stucommunicate to families using our isd761.org. dents during such an incident. notification system software: In the event of an emergency, we ask for your coop• A phone call will be sent to Infinite Campus Notification Software eration in following procedures: guardians (a voice message will (Parent Notifications) 1. Please do not telephone the school. be left if unanswered). • Phone call to guardians (a voice Telephone lines must be kept available • A message will be sent to message will be left if unanswered) for emergency communications. guardians in the parent portal • Email 2. Please do not come to your child’s inbox and/or emailed. • Message in the parent portal inbox school unless requested to pick up your child. Weather-Related Announcements Media 3. In the event of an emergency that requires In the event that Owatonna Public Schools decides An announcement for Owatonna Public us to evacuate and relocate, students may to close or have an early release or late start due to inSchools will appear on these media outlets:
• •
TV (KSTP 5, KARE 11, KMSP Fox 9, WCCO, KEYC TV, KTTC, KAAL) Radio (KOWZ, KRFO/KAT KOUNTRY 105, KDHL)
Facebook An announcement will be posted on the District’s official Facebook page. You can follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Owatonna761.
Wishing the students and staff a great school year! We can’t wait to report on the fun exciting things coming up in the 2021-2022 school year.
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