We're Back... and We've Got Heart! - Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District - School News Roll Call
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Education + Communication = A Better Nation ® Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District Volume 3, Issue 9 October 2022 We’re Back... and We’ve Got Heart! www.SchoolNewsRollCall.com
District Librarian 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 No Ants Please There was a buzz of excitement in the air last May as TK-5th grade students had the Kay Coop opportunity to spend time Founder/Publisher with a special visitor. Local self-published Welcome back to a new school year. By now students are Ramona author, former Cummings Valley Cougar, settled into a routine and focused on academics. As you Turmezei and former local preschool teacher, Heather read the articles in this issue you will understand lots of District Librarian Hansen, read her book, No Ants Please, to preparation and planning was done by the administration students at each of our TUSD elementary to promote a successful school experience. schools. Students joined the author on an adventure with Thank you for including School News among your Benny the ostrich, as he discovered what other animals eat. reading choices. The dates for issues this school year are Following the reading, students did a wonderful job January 25 and April 12. Until then Happy Holidays and asking great questions. What was the inspiration behind we’ll be back in the new year! the book? She grew up on a farm with over 400 ostriches here in Tehachapi. As a child, her parents read to her regularly which fostered her love for reading. She began writing what would later become No Ants Please while in ® Education + Communication = A Better Nation junior high. Later, she pulled out her draft, made revisions, www.schoolnewsrollcall.com and learned how to self-publish. Students were eager to learn Covering the about the process of writing the book and how she partnered TEHACHAPI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT with an illustrator who lived in Poland. Students and staff FOUNDER/PUBLISHER: SCHOOL NEWS ROLL CALL, LLC alike appreciated the author’s time and were inspired to read Kay Coop, 562/493-3193 P.O. Box 728, Seal Beach, CA 90740 kay@schoolnewsrollcall.com www.schoolnewsrollcall.com more books as evidenced by exuberant rounds of applause. ADVERTISING SALES: 562/493-3193 Copyright © 2006, School News Roll Call, LLC Reproduction in whole or in part without writ- CONTENT COORDINATOR: Barbra Longiny ten permission is strictly prohibited GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION: Emily Ung unless otherwise stated. Opinions expressed by contributing writers and guest columnists COPY EDITORS: Kate Karp, Anna Zappia are their views and not necessarily those of SOCIAL MEDIA: Nancy Lueder School News Roll Call. This publication is Netragrednik by Neta Madison privately owned and the right is reserved to select and edit content.The Tehachapi Unified School District does not endorse the advertisers in this publication. Caroline Robison YOUTH Optometry BASKETBALL LEAGUE Is your child having trouble in school because they need glasses or eye exercises? We can help! Please see our ad on the back page OUR SERVICES Contact Lenses Eye and Vision Exams Eyeglasses Pink Eye Vision Therapy Computer Vision Treatment Pediatric Optometry Great eye care begins with regular eye exams. Make an Appointment Today 760 Tucker Rd., #A, Tehachapi www.mmsports.net (661) 972-6890 | careiris2020@gmail.com www.carolinerobisonoptometry.com 20430 Brian Way Ste 1B, Tehachapi, CA 95361 2 www.schoolnewsrollcall.com
BOARD OF EDUCATION Nancy Weinstein Joe Wallek Jackie Wood Tracy Kelly Jeff Kermode Tyler Napier Rick Scott President Vice President Clerk Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee SUPERINTENDENT The 2022-2023 school year is off and Students Describe School Behaviors running! As a team, TUSD is focused on The “Social Contract” is an agreement that is created building strong connections with students as by the students, assisted by the teacher, in an effort to well as addressing academic outcomes. answer four questions regarding the classroom and school Many strategies and educational environment. The four questions include: tools have been implemented to support • How do you want to be treated by the teacher? students in their academic achievement • How do you want to be treated by each other? and overcoming learning loss that may have • How do you think the teacher wants to be treated by you? Stacey Larson-Everson emerged due to the pandemic. Significant • How do we want to treat each other when there is conflict? resources and layers of support have also The resulting answers make up a list of adjectives which been added to increase social and emotional serve as the basis for student expectations of behavior support for students. A primary social-emotional emphasis in the classroom. The “Social Contract” is signed by all this year is the implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts classroom members including the teacher and is referred to (CKH). CKH is recognized nationwide as an outstanding on a regular basis during class. set of practices designed to promote: -Student social-emotional well-being Good Things/Hoorays -A positive, relationship-driven campus culture at all schools At the beginning of classes teachers will start -Student connectedness to school with “good things,” which means that students share Capturing Kids’ Hearts promotes relevance, rigor, something good that is going on with them. This creates an and relationships. Respect and responsibility are key environment of positivity and helps build relationships. characteristics in the CKH model. The entire process teaches strong interpersonal skills and promotes academic We are very enthusiastic about our district-wide and lifelong success. Teachers use the EXCEL model implementation of CKH and hope that students will also (described below) to communicate with students. Students’ embrace these practices with positive interest and energy. work collaboratively to create classroom rules which detail If you have questions or would like more information about how everyone agrees to treat each other and how they CKH, please contact your child’s school administrative want to be treated. Below are brief summaries of the key team. components of CKH. Wishing everyone a fantastic 2022-2023 school year! The EXCEL Model Engage: Students are greeted at the door with a handshake, hug, or high-five with eye contact and a sincere welcome. X-plore: Teachers listen and attend to the personal, emotional and academic needs of students. Communicate: Teachers communicate care as well as academic content. Empower: Teachers empower students to gain the ability to “use and do” the things they have been taught. Launch: Details with how we “end and send” our students into the world at the end of class. The purpose is to start our students on a course of action by ending our classes on a powerful, positive note. Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District October 2022 3
Business Services 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 Generous Grant Funds The Tehachapi Unified School District The Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Business Services Department is excited to Discretionary Block Grant provides additional one-time announce that the California enacted budget funding ($2,382,745) that may be used to implement for the 2022-2023 fiscal year included not professional development and acquire instructional only larger than expected on-going increases materials in various subject areas, offset increased to our Local Control Funding Formula operational costs, and support arts and musical education (LCFF), the base level funding received on programs. The one-time funds may be used through the Hojat Entezari Chief Administrator a per student school attendance basis, but 2025-2026 fiscal year. the enacted state budget included additional The notification of these awards is welcome news as one-time funding through two separate block grants — the the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant and the Arts, national inflation has currently increased by 8.3% this year. Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block The District has put forward several strategies to address Grant bringing an additional $6,020,000 to Tehachapi USD. learning loss and students’ mental health needs to be able The Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant to continue to offer these services well after the district’s funding ($3,637,345) may be used to increase or stabilize COVID awards have been fully deployed. More information instructional learning time, decrease or stabilize staff- on the specific spending plan for these grant funds will to-pupil ratios, provide supports to address barriers to be provided but we look forward to having the resources learning, credit-deficiencies, and additional academic to face ongoing inflation while also keeping our staff and services to close learning gaps that may have occurred as a students’ needs as the highest priority. result of the pandemic. These one-time funds may be used through the 2027-2028 fiscal year. District Nurse 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/979-6596 Health Screenings in School screened until kindergarten. Sound is caused by vibrations Credentialed school nurses implement that travel through the air, tissue, and fluid of the ear. various health screenings in the school These vibrations stimulate nerve endings of the cochlea to setting to support student health and communicate to the brain, where the sound is recognized wellness and reduce barriers to their and then interpreted. Sound is measured in loudness learning and academic success. Hearing (decibels [dB]) and pitch (Hertz [Hz]). For reference, screenings are completed every year by our normal conversational speech is 50 to 70 dB. Hearing loss in children can develop at any time, Jenna Burgess, contracted county Audiometrist and the RN BSN district’s credentialed school nurses. These caused by progressive sensorineural damage of the inner Credentialed screenings are completed for students in ear or conductive or mechanical problems of the middle School Nurse transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, 2nd ear (e.g. ear infection or ear wax buildup). Prolonged grade, 5th grade, and 8th grade. Hearing exposure to loud noise causes a permanent alteration in the screenings are also completed for students with Student transmission of sound due to the hair cells of the cochlea Study Teams (SSTs) and Individualized Educational Plans being damaged. Those students that fail both the initial (IEPs) and by teacher referral. hearing screening and rescreening are referred for further Good hearing is critical for language development, evaluation to either their medical doctor and/or the county and language development is critical to learning. Hearing Audiologist. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adolescents has some loss contributes to educational delay and social isolation. degree of hearing loss, a significant increase since 1994 For this reason, most states have mandated newborn (Selekman, 2013). hearing tests because hearing is nearly mature at birth. Selekman, Janice. School Nursing. F A Davis Company, Nevertheless, most children’s hearing is not properly 2013. 4 www.schoolnewsrollcall.com
Food Services 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 Busy Start of meals served to students who for the TUSD wouldn’t qualify for free meals. Kitchen For TUSD, qualifying as many The new students as possible for the school year is off Free & Reduced Program is still to a great start very important as some funding and with that sources are determined based on student counts. These special Hortencia Tapia we have a very Supervisor busy kitchen, programs add supplemental the Food Service learning supports to school Department has seen a big campuses. We encourage increase in meal participation all household to submit an with over 42,000 meals served application by going to PayPams. in the first three weeks of com. Please be reminded that a school. This year free meals will be served again but new eligibility application must under the new Universal Meal Program. California is the be submitted each school year, if you qualify for free or first state in the country to implement the universal meal reduced meals you may be eligible to receive the pandemic program. Our state has allocated money to cover the cost EBT card to cover meals during the summer. Instructional Services 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 Welcome New Teachers that is available to assist them. As the year progresses, Tehachapi Unified School District Instructional Services offers on-going support to new welcomes new teachers to TUSD! All new teachers by hosting regular after-school meetings that teachers participated in a new teacher focus on professional development, modeling lessons in support session prior to the first day of new teacher classrooms, checking-in with new teachers, school. The purpose of the initial New lesson planning assistance, and meeting with new Teacher Support Meeting was to help teachers individually to provide assistance in whatever new teachers become acclimated to area a new teacher has requested. TUSD is excited Andrea Paxton Chief Administrator TUSD’s procedures and programs, meet to have such a great group of new teachers and looks other new teachers within TUSD, and get forward to them being an integral part of our TUSD familiarized with the district support team team! Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District October 2022 5
Personnel Services 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 New Year, New Faces! has ongoing hiring needs for We would like to talented and student-centered introduce two new Vice people to join our TUSD team. Principals to the TUSD Please feel free to contact us Team. Mr. Sibecas for further information. at Cummings Valley We are excited to welcome Elementary and our parent volunteers back Mrs. Elizabeth Spoden on campus after a two-year Dr. Roxane Romero at Golden Hills break. It is a great way to get Chief Administrator Elementary. They have a heart of service and involved and support your local schools. Parent volunteers will be amazing advocates for our students, can choose between working in the classroom, chaperoning staff, and community. We welcome all our new hires and fieldtrips or coaching our students. For more information, wish them the best of luck with the current school year. It’s please check in with your student’s school site for volunteer not too late to join our team. The Personnel Department opportunities and clearance. Professional Development 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 Tehachapi Mountain Park, Camping in Our Own Backyard Tehachapi Unified School District is pleased to offer an engaging, outdoor, Jennifer Butler hands-on science Coordinator of camp experience for Instructional Support the second year in a and Improvement row to all third grade students. Instructional Services, along with KCSOS Science experts, are leading students through memorable experiences while also exploring the phenomenon, “Why do some animals live alone while others live in large groups?” Students are participating in lively academic conversations about collective nouns. They are learning about different names for various groups of animals, such as a group of elephants is called a memory. Students play games such as, “Oh Deer” which models how deer populations increase or decrease due their own wooden necklace. One student exclaimed, “This to limited or abundant resources. They also play “Savanna is so much fun, I thought it was Science Camp!” Tag” which demonstrates how zebra mares and wildebeest TUSD is also providing Camp KEEP to 8th grade cows protect zebra colts and wildebeest calves so they are students where they explore the ocean, as well as a not captured or eaten by predators such as lions. team building camp for 5th grade students at Tehachapi Additional activities are a nature hike where students Mountain Park in the spring. In TUSD, students are having explore the environment in search of animal evidence. fun while learning grade level standards and gaining Students also participate in a scavenger hunt and create memorable experiences. 6 www.schoolnewsrollcall.com
Special Education Services 126 South Snyder, Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 Meet the Speech Team is eager to provide support. Whether students require The Tehachapi Unified School District Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Special Education Department is excited or minor pragmatic guidance, the TUSD Speech Team to present the 2022-2023 Speech Team. is equipped for the services. Speech will be providing in Speech is completely staffed and prepared person and virtual services to meet all student’s needs. to provide services for students throughout This is just one of many improvements in the Special the district. The team consists of some Education Department and our dedication to improving Dr. Solomon familiar faces along with new faces that student outcomes. As we navigate the 2022-2023 school DeFrancis bring a wealth of information. From year, the Tehachapi Unified School District Special Director Preschool to the TALL program and all Education Department continues to seek opportunities to grade levels in between, our Speech Team develop practices and better our best. Student Services 300 South Robinson St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 TUSD Tehachapi Adult School Tehachapi Adult School (TAS) offers opportunities for individuals eighteen and older to acquire their high school diploma or complete General Education Development (GED) preparation curriculum. The GED test is a series of tests an individual can take Dr. Bonny Porter to demonstrate their academic knowledge. Director Adults enrolled in the TAS program are able Student Services to work from home, completing courses that are all administered online with support from a credentialed teacher. Consultations, academic advising, and tutoring are also available to students. Additionally, TAS offers a typing certificate, a Career Technical Education (CTE) certificate in welding and English Second Language (ESL) courses. Adult education courses, welding, and ESL courses have already increased TAS Student Natalie Whiteside and Program Manager Stephanie Teodosio student enrollment since last year. TAS staff strives to If you have any questions about TAS programs, please provide flexible instructional hours as well as quality contact our Adult Education Program Manager, education to our community members. Mrs. Stephanie Teodosio at (661) 822-2112. Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District October 2022 7
Technology 400 South Snyder, Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2100 Busy Summer and New Location The District also migrated to a new fully voice over The TUSD Technology Department has IP cloud hosted phone system over the summer. The had a busy summer. With the Tehachapi Technology Team worked to ensure every phone was Independent Learning Academy (TILA) replaced and accounted for at each school and office in opening in its new location, there was a lot the district. This amounted to approximately 500 phones. to do. Our team worked over the summer We started using the new phone service at the end of getting TILA ready to go for the first day July. This project was very exciting for my team and the of school. Inside classrooms, Newline district as a whole. The new system enables any employee Ryan McKay Director interactive boards, wiring for computers, from any campus to direct dial any other employee in the audio systems and wireless access points district, regardless of which campus they are on. This is an were all configured and installed. Office spaces and exciting change. common areas were wired and programmed to the new Finally, the Technology Department is moving to network specifications. The school had a successful 400 South Snyder. This office used to house the TILA opening welcoming both classic and blended learning program. Chromebooks will be able to be checked in, out, students to the new campus. As a parent of a student and supported from the new location. We look forward attending the blended learning model at TILA, I am to supporting the District and our TUSD students and extremely proud of what the tech team accomplished there. families from our new location. Transportation 401 East H. St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2115 Bus Evacuations Every year the TUSD Transportation Department performs a bus evacuation drill with all students TK through 8th grade. During the evacuation drills, students Denise Berry are taught safety practices Supervisor and how to evacuate the bus during an emergency. Students will be instructed to follow the drivers’ directions and exit the bus through an emergency exit other than the front door. The driver will show students the location of and explain the use of the fire extinguisher, reflectors, and first aid kit. Drivers will also demonstrate how to open all the emergency exits including roof hatches, front door, and windows. Students will be shown the location and use of the two-way radio. During the drill, the driver may ask for assistance from teachers and aides. We always appreciate the extra help to make sure students follow directions and remain safe during the evacuation. Remember, school bus safety is a team effort! 8 www.schoolnewsrollcall.com
Cummings Valley Elementary 24220 Bear Valley Rd., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2190 • cvs.tehachapiusd.com A Sense of Community Cummings Valley Elementary School staff and students are WILD About Learning! This is the year-long theme you’ll see throughout campus for 2022- 2023…in classroom and office Taylor Marquesen décor, on staff shirts, in our Principal reading program and more. Think jungles, monkeys, safaris and animal prints! At Cummings Valley, we feel that having a theme each year is not only fun for everyone involved, but promotes a sense of community that is prevalent throughout the campus. A big part of our job as school administration and staff is to do our best to make school not only a fantastic educational experience, but also a place that students look forward to coming to each day. We hope this will positively impact our daily attendance, and also students’ attitudes and perspective about school in general. Come get WILD About Learning at CVS! Golden Hills Elementary 20215 Park Rd., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2180 • ghe.tehachapiusd.com Capturing Eagles’ Heart from the Start students who feel more connected to school are more likely The team here at Golden Hills has been to have positive outcomes. Capturing Kids’ Hearts provides hard at work capturing the hearts of our strategies we are using to ensure that our students feel students. Teachers have established social connected to Golden Hills Elementary School and that each contracts in their classrooms, allowing and every day is a positive experience! students a voice into how Kendra Bailey they want to Principal be treated, how they will treat others and how they will resolve conflict. Staff members have been working on appreciating the good things and affirming students and staff alike. Students are learning to affirm one another and develop a positive mindset. Teachers and staff members greet students each day and we are all working on getting to know each other better. Research shows that Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District October 2022 9
Jacobsen Middle School 711 Anita Dr., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2150 • jms.tehachapiusd.com JMS Back to School Dance a Big Success! The Jacobsen Back to School Dance was held Friday, September 16th. This was the first Back to School Dance at JMS since 2019. Everyone, from new 6th grade students, to eighth graders Eric Loe starting their final year at the middle Principal school were excited to participate in the first dance of the 2022-23 school year! The dance, held in the Albert “Corky” Roberts A great time was had by all, but the eighth graders who Gym, was sponsored by the Eighth grade Class and was participated will get double the bang for their buck, as they a fundraiser for the class to prepare for field trips and enjoyed the dance now, and will enjoy the activities the incentives later in the year. The dance featured a DJ, photo proceeds pay for later in the year! booth, lights, and a snack bar! Thank you to all who worked to put on this event! Tehachapi High School 801 S. Dennison Rd, Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2130 • ths.tehachapiusd.com Graduation Requirements Tehachapi High School requires 230 credits to graduate. Students earn 5 credits per semester class as long as they pass with a D or better. Students have 6 Cristina Libatique classes per semester which Principal means they earn 30 credits per semester. There are two semesters in a year so they earn 60 credits in a year. Four years of high school means they earn 240 credits. THS requires 230 credits to graduate which means seniors have the flexibility to take 5 classes instead of 6. Credits must be earned in the following subject areas: Social Studies/History (World, US,Government/Economics) - 30 credits English (9, 10, 11, 12) - 40 credits Math (Algebra Essentials, Geometry, etc) - 20 credits Algebra - 10 credits Science (1 year of life, 1 year of physical, and 1 year of elective science) - 30 credits Foreign Language OR Visual/ Performing Arts OR Career Technical Education - 10 credits Physical Education - 20 credits Electives (all other classes) - 70 credits 10 www.schoolnewsrollcall.com
Tompkins Elementary 1120 S. Curry St., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2170 • tpk.tehachapiusd.com Traveling Tiger Cart Tompkins Elementary School is working on upgrading the PBIS program this year. All students participated in an assembly during the first three weeks of school highlighting school-wide Clair Rhea expectations, incentives and Principal rewards. Student expectation banners and posters are being added to common areas and to each classroom. Tompkins Tigers ROAR; Respect, Own your actions, Achieve your best, Responsible. Students meeting expectations earn a Tiger Paw that can be used for a variety of rewards. PBIS incentives include a weekly toy raffle, certificates awarded monthly from local eateries, as well as Picnic with the Principal. Students can save their Tiger Paws for admission to quarterly events. Our first quarter event is a monster themed canvas painting, scheduled for 10/11-17. New this year, is also the Traveling Tiger Cart that contains small fun items to be purchased with Tiger Paws when the cart arrives in classrooms. Winning students selecting prizes from the weekly drawing. Tehachapi Independent Learning Academy 400 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi, CA 93561 • 661/822-2266 • https://tila.tehachapiusd.com Alternative Instructional Models Tehachapi Independent The Tehachapi Independent Learning Academy (TILA) Learning Academy (TILA) offers offers TUSD families an TUSD families blended and classic alternative to traditional instructional models. Students classroom instruction. Students who participate in the TILA classic enrolled in TILA work from model work from home with their home with virtual support from a credentialed teacher. Dr. Bonny Porter virtual support from a credentialed Director teacher. Students enrolled in the Tutoring is available to students Student Services TK - 8th grade blended model as well as encouragement TILA Blended Learning Students from paraprofessionals to help attend in-person instruction Tela Newkirk, Gianna Grajeda, Jacob Parks from 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM twice a week with an secondary students follow optional enrichment opportunity on Fridays. High school course pacing guides. One of the challenges of learning students can work with their THS counselors to develop an from home is keeping students interested in academics. To individualized blended model as well. TILA teachers strive foster student interest and passion for knowledge, TILA to accommodate students’ learning styles and enhance has implemented a literacy and art component. Recently, their instructional experiences. The blended program elementary students selected stories about winter and allows students to build background knowledge for lessons were able to choose an art project to accompany the stories at home. This leaves additional time while they attend in- they read. Some of the books and completed art pieces are person instruction for activities that encourage authentic pictured above. Currently students are learning about the learning experiences such as collaborative problem solving. importance of taking care of the Earth. They are reading For example, students may read about ratios at home stories about the environment and are making objects and then come to school and make slime to solidify their out of recyclable materials. Thus, TILA students are understanding of ratios in a real-life experience. encouraged to use creativity to enhance their education. Covering the Tehachapi Unified School District October 2022 11
YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE K-2nd grade Co-Ed and 3rd-12TH Grade Boys & Girls REGISTRATION: MANDATORY SKILL EVALUATIONS: Open through November 10th For 3rd-12th Grade ONLY October 14th: 5pm 3rd/4th Girls, 6pm 5th/6th Girls 7pm 7th/8th and 9th-12th Girls COST: October 16th: 5pm 3rd/4th Boys, 6:15pm 5th/6th Boys Kinderball: October 17th: 5pm 7th/8th Boys, 6:15pm 9th-12th Boys $80 OR $60 with In-District Discount 1st-12th grade: PRACTICES AND GAMES: $127 OR $95.25 with In-District Discount Practices will begin the week of November 28th (No practices December 19th-31st) INCLUDES: KINDERBALL WILL NOT HAVE PRACTICES DURING THE WEEK (Kinderball practices will take place right before each game, Reversible Jersey it will be worked into the game schedule) Head-Coach Discount: $30(1st -12th) $10(Kinderball) Games will take place on Saturdays starting Sibling Discount: $10 January 8th (No games on February 18th) **Picture are NOT included in registration** Season: SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE January 7th-March 11th FOR QUALIFYING YOUTH! Championship games to follow Volunteer Coaches Needed! Visit www.tvrpd.org and sign up now! Like us on Facebook for updates and announcements! Phone: 661-822-3228
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