UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS | |
THIS WEEK:
- Tuesday, 4/30, 6 PM • National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
- Thursday, 5/2, 8 AM • Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast*
- Thursday, 5/2, 6 PM • French Exchange Interest Meeting*
NEXT WEEK:
- Monday, 5/6–Friday, 5/17 • AP Testing
- Monday, 5/6–Friday, 5/10 • Staff Appreciation Week*
- Wednesday, 5/8 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 8th Grade Families*
- Friday, 5/10, 7 PM • MS Social
LOOKING AHEAD:
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Monday, 5/20–Friday, 5/24 • Focus Week
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Monday, 5/27 • No School (Memorial Day)
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Tuesday, 5/28–Friday, 5/31 • Testing Week
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Wednesday, 5/29 • Senior Board Day
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Tuesday, 6/4, 6 PM • MS Band Concert
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Tuesday, 6/4, 7 PM • HS Band Concert
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Wednesday, 6/5 • Seniors & Staff Luncheon Hosted by the 12th Grade Families
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Wednesday, 6/5, 6 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
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Wednesday, 6/5, 7 PM • HS Orchestra Concert
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Thursday, 6/6, 11:15 AM–12:25 PM • 5th Grade Visit
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Friday, 6/7, 7 PM • Moving Up Dance
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Monday, 6/10 • Déjeuner en Blanc
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Monday, 6/10, 6 PM • MS Choir Concert
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Monday, 6/10, 7 PM • HS Choir Concert
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Tuesday, 6/11 • Commencement Rehearsal
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Thursday, 6/13, 7:30 PM • Class of 2024 Commencement
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Thursday, 6/13–Friday, 6/14 • Seniors Grad Party*
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Friday, 6/14 • Laptop Collection (Date Change)
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Tuesday, 6/18 • Last Day of School
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Monday, 8/19–Friday, 8/23 • Class of 2025 College Boot Camp
Click here to view the ISPTSA Calendar, which can be added to your personal Google or Outlook Calendar.
Click here to view the District 2023–2024 calendar for families.
*More information in the message below
Orange denotes new/updated calendar entries.
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The following are shout-outs and thank-yous from various members of our community. | We would like to thank everyone that showed up to the ISPTSA General Membership Meeting on Thursday, April 25! Without your voices our community would not be what it is today. We would also like to thank Maggie Lo and Qiong Chen for the amazing dinner! | |
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTSA NEWS | |
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK!
Staff Appreciation Week is May 6–10 and we would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to our staff for their hard work and dedication. Please help us in making this week special. Here are our plans:
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Monday 5/6 – Unveiling the “Wall of Appreciation”. Please bring flowers and cards for our staff and teachers.
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Tuesday 5/7 – TEAtime Tuesday, special treat box and bubble teas. Volunteers sign up here.
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Wednesday 5/8 – staff appreciation lunch hosted by 8th grade.
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Thursday 5/9 – Fresh baked treats. Volunteers sign up here.
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Friday 5/10 – To end this wonderful week, we’ll treat our teachers and staff with a guilty pleasure, CRAVE Food Friday. Parents, please stock our teachers’ lounge with our kids’ favorite snacks. Sign up to donate food here.
We'll also need volunteers to help during the week of May 6 – 10. Sign up here.
Thank you as always!! Questions? Contact the VP of Community.
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CALLING ALL 11TH-GRADE FAMILIES!
It has always been a tradition for the 11th-grade families to volunteer with events around graduation. In this spirit, there are two sign-up links below. Please take a moment to look at both and sign up where you can. It would be so helpful if every family with an International School Junior could sign up to supply an item and give some of their time. Thanks so much for helping with these important events!
Volunteers
Post-Graduation Dessert Reception
Questions? Contact your 11th-grade parent reps Anindita, Dena, and Nisha.
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IS HS CHOIRS SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE MARINERS GAME!
The International High School Choirs combined to sing the National Anthem at the Mariners game on Tuesday, April 2! Thanks to the ISPTSA, families were able to buy tickets for $25. This guaranteed everyone got to sit together for a fun filled night that supported our students!
Questions? Contact Emilie Castle, ISPTSA Co-President
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ATTENTION SOPHMORE PARENTS
Please join fellow sophomore parents on Friday, May 10 at the Bellevue Cascade Pizza Brewery from 5-7 PM for a Mix and Mingle. As we head towards our students' upperclassmen years, let's take a moment to build our community and enjoy a casual evening out.
Please Email Renuka Getchell at parent-rep2026@isptsa.org so we can get an idea of numbers and coordinate some space for the group. This is a parent event, not a student event. Hope to see you there!
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DEAR 6TH-GRADE FAMILIES,
As graduation season approaches, we are thrilled to celebrate our graduating seniors through a series of events, including a Senior/Staff Luncheon, Senior Celebration, Graduation, and an All Night Grad Night following graduation. Each grade contributes by volunteering where needed, allowing senior parents to fully enjoy the events with their graduates and offering a learning opportunity for when your own child graduates, as well as providing some form of meal.
The 6th grade is honored to provide dinner before the senior celebration event. We kindly ask 6th-grade families to consider contributing $10, or any amount they wish, for snacks and drinks for the dinner. The link to contribute is here.
Thank you for your support and participation in making these events memorable for our seniors. Questions? Email Kai Gao and Donald Wang, 6th-Grade Parent Reps.
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CLASS OF 2024 GRAD NIGHT PARTY TICKETS
To provide a fun and safe way for our seniors to celebrate the ending of their high school career with their friends, the PTSA hosts a Grad Night party for International Seniors! Tickets are on sale now and you don't want to miss this! Please click here to register and purchase tickets.
It's a long standing IS tradition that ALL seniors attend and it's the last time you will all get to celebrate together! We would really appreciate you purchasing your ticket as soon as possible - it will really help us with the planning process! This event will occur directly after graduation on Thursday, June 13 until 6 AM the next morning. The locations are kept secret until that night, but the graduates will enjoy fun locales, food, and activities. This event is for seniors only! Questions? Email SeniorChair@isptsa.org.
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DEAR 8TH GRADE FAMILIES
On behalf of ISPTSA, I wanted to extend our sincere gratitude for your participation in the recent parent meet. Your presence and engagement are invaluable to us and we truly appreciate your commitment to supporting our school community.
We hope you found the parent meet informative. We look forward to your continued support and involvement in future events. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our students and enhance the educational journey for all.
Thanks,
Monica Mankotia
(8th G Parent Rep.)
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8TH GRADE FAMILIES STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
8th Grade families will be hosting the Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, May 8. If you are an 8th Grade family please sign up here to donate food and to help set up or clean up. The theme is finger foods! Questions? Email parent-rep2028@isptsa.org.
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SENIOR SUPPORT
Everyone coming together to support the Seniors as they graduate is a tradition at IS. To help streamline the effort, we are linking all of the sign-ups in one location in the newsletter for easy reference.
Please contact your Class Parent Reps with your questions. Parent Rep emails can be found here.
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BELLEVUE COUNCIL PTSA NEWS | |
BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year, Bellevue PTSA Council offers twelve (12) $1000 scholarships to seniors representing each high school in BSD. The Alice Hurd Memorial Scholarship recognizes outstanding community service and rewards one student from each high school a $1000 scholarship. The Bellevue PTSA Council Scholarship rewards academic excellence to one graduating senior from each high school, funded by Bellevue PTSA Council. Applicants will be evaluated by the Bellevue PTSA Council Scholarship Committee consisting of representatives from each high school. Find out more here. Questions? Contact them via their website.
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JOIN US FOR 'BALANCING ACT: SUPPORTING STUDENT STRESS & ANXIETY'
Learn more about the causes of childhood stress and anxiety, signs that may indicate the need for more support, and practical strategies for fostering resilience at home. Explore resources available within the Bellevue School District and our community to help navigate this important aspect of parenting. Let's work together to create a supportive environment for our children's well-being.
Sponsored by Bellevue PTSA Council & The BSD Mental Health Assistance Team (MHAT). Two sessions will be offered focused towards Elementary & Secondary:
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High School & Middle School Parent Presentation: Wednesday, May 1, 7-8 PM at Bellevue High School PAC, 10416 SE Wolverine Way, Bellevue, WA 98004
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Elementary School Parent Presentation: Wednesday, May 22, 7-8 PM at Odle Middle School Commons 502 143rd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
Check out the flier in English, Spanish, or Chinese.
Questions? Contact Kristi Schwesinger.
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Check out the Bellevue Council PTSA Reflections Art Exhibit in the Factoria Mall NOW through Friday, May 10. There are pieces of art by International School students being displayed! Questions? Email Callia Kwan. | |
2024-25 YEARBOOK STAFF APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
Do you know that our yearbook is created by students in a club? Now is your chance to flex your creative side and be part of this dynamic team. Students in grades 6-11 are invited to apply to be on next year's yearbook staff. We meet every Thursday after school from September through March. Apply here (use student login) by 11:59 PM TODAY, Monday, April 29.
Questions? Contact Jill, Yearbook Advisor, at follettj@bsd405.org.
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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BREAKFAST
Hello International School Parents/Guardians! We are so grateful for all the support you’ve provided and all the time you’ve committed to our school and our success. You make our school amazing and welcoming! We would like to show you a small token of gratitude for volunteering at International School and invite you to our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast THIS Thursday, May 2 at 8 AM in the International School Commons. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP by April 30 here. Thank you so much for all you do!
Questions? Contact Arty Christianto.
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FRENCH EXCHANGE INTEREST MEETING FOR 9TH GRADERS
Every year, International School organizes an exchange program/trip to France for 10th grade students. The trip offers a unique way for our students to connect with French culture, make new friends, and experience the life of a French family. IS students are partnered with French students from the city of Nantes. If you have a student in 9th grade who is considering joining the exchange next year, you are invited to attend an interest meeting THIS Thursday, May 2 at 6 PM in the IS library. For additional information, please contact Gwen Geslin at geslinm@bsd405.org.
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LOST & FOUND OVERFLOWING!
Phones, eyeglasses, sunglasses, wallet, Apple watch, Fitbit, iPods, retainers, jewelry, mouse, key fob, water bottles, jackets.
Please peruse the photos and claim your items ASAP! All Items donated in June. Questions? Email Ellen Stone.
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IS LIBRARY THANKS PTSA
Thank You ISPTSA for the 2023-2024 budget line grant!
Forty-six fiction, non-fiction books and graphic novels have been added to our library collections thanks to our PTSA $750 budget line grant.
These books help us to expand our students’ learning resources and promote the love of independent reading among our students from 6th to 12th grades.
Thank you ISPTSA for your generosity!
Please click here to view our full PTSA 2023-2024 grant collection.
Questions? Email Michele Dang, Library specialist
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HS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Community Service Hours helping Van Gogh Art Camps!
Art Camp ‘Go Go with Van Gogh’ at beautiful Kelsey Creek Farm is looking for volunteers to assist art instructor with campers’ full day of art activities, drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sketching on the farm.
- These “Counselors in Training” volunteer positions are a one-week commitment M-F 9:15 AM-3:15 PM.
- Weeks to choose from are June 24-28, July 1-3, July 8-12, July 15-19, Aug 5-9, Aug 12-16.
- You must be 15 years of age, able to follow directions and assess what might be needed to be helpful.
- Looking for 2-3 volunteers per week, so students are welcome to volunteer with friends.
Requires a friendly, positive attitude and must enjoy being with children 6-11 years of age. The week will also consist of helping to pass out art supplies, cleaning up messes, and playing with art campers on the playground during recess. Volunteer position hours are documented by Kelsey Creek Farm for your official community service; that enriches you and this art program.
Please email Diane@DianeCulhaneArt.com if you are interested or have any questions.
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BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS | |
SUPERINTENDENT'S BLOG: BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Superintendent Aramaki shares the budget reduction plan for the 2024-25 school year that he and his staff presented to the school board at the regular board meeting on April 18. Read it here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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SUMMER EBT (SUN BUCKS) IS LAUNCHING IN 2024!
Beginning this summer, the state of Washington will launch a new Summer EBT program called SUN Bucks. The program will provide families with $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy food when school is out. Find out more here. Questions? Contact nutrition@bsd405.org.
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HEALTH SERVICES UPDATE: MEASLES PREVENTION AND SAFETY
Since December 2023, there have been 11 cases of measles in Washington state. Information for families seeking more resources for health safety and prevention planning can be found here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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A SEASON OF PROMOTIONS AND GRADUATIONS!
With only a few months remaining in the 2023-2024 school year, mark your calendars for the upcoming promotion and graduation season. For additional high school graduation details, please visit the Class of 2024 graduation page. Questions? Contact BSD.
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INNOVATION IN LANGUAGE ACCESS: OUR COMMITMENT TO BELOVED COMMUNITY
New state requirements for school districts regarding language access for families, communities, and public schools were set forth last school year. These were not limits but great starting points for improving language access for our learning community. The Bellevue School District is among the first in the state to assign a language access coordinator as a full-time administrative role. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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BSD NEWSLETTER
An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, April 25. Learn about the 2024 College Conference Series, nominate someone or apply to join the school board, sign up to attend informational events, and more. Read it here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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TOUR THE BALLARD LOCKS FREE!
Free daily tours are offered at 2:00 PM each day that the Visitor Center is open between May 1 and September 30. Tours last approximately one hour, are open to all and begin from the Visitor Center. No reservations required.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
3015 NW 54th St
Seattle, WA 98107-4213
Officially known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, the Ballard Locks is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the sunny months. The grounds also feature a fish ladder and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden — one of the most beautiful park settings in Seattle. Questions? Contact them via their website.
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UNIQUE ACADEMIC SUMMER CAMPS FOR RISING 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS
Wise Camps will hold summer camp July 15-19 and July 22-26 in Bellevue this summer. Campers are grouped based on both age and ability, and are exposed to a variety of STEAM topics like medicine, chemistry, physics, engineering, neuroscience, etc.! We have passionate and experienced teachers. One of our goals is to expose campers to higher level concepts so they will not be intimidated when they reach these topics in high school and beyond. Register today at www.wisecamps.org! Questions? Email wisecamps@gmail.com.
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BOY SCOUT INTEREST NIGHT, BELLEVUE TROOP 438
Monday, May 13, 7:30 – 8:45 PM
Have you thought about your child joining Boy Scouts? Now is the perfect time for 11-13 year olds to start scouting. Come learn what scouting is all about. No prior scouting experience is required.
Please RSVP to janinele@yahoo.com or fill out the information under ‘Contact Us’ on Troop 438’s website.
Our troop meets on Monday nights, 7:30-8:45 in Eastgate. For more information, visit Troop 438's website and check out this flier. Questions? Contact Janine Le.
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COLLEGE APPLICATION PREPARATION
April is the ideal time to delve into college admissions trends and kickstart your planning ahead of the busy exam period in May and June. InGenius Prep is here to help! Check out this handy PDF with a variety of webinars that showcase our tested and proven strategies to enhance your knowledge and control over the complex preparation process. Questions? Email Elsha Yiu.
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SMITH BROTHERS FARMS MILK FUND PROGRAMS
Sign up for Smith Brothers Farms Home Grocery Delivery and when you do, you'll receive $15 off your 1st delivery & ISPTSA receives a $50 gift donation from SBF! It's a win-win! You get the iconic Porch Box with your 1st order & it can be filled each week with milk that is 2-days-fresh from the farm, eggs that are 3-days-fresh, fresh produce, almond & oat milk, and hundreds of grocery items that are primarily from local PNW companies!
Delivery is free with just a $10 order & there are no monthly fees, no contract. Give it a try - we get the donation if you get one delivery or remain a customer for years. Questions? Contact Smith Brothers Farms.
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MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS | |
Serving International School in the Bellevue School District | |
President
Secretary
Treasurer 1
Treasurer 2
VP of Communications
VP's of Community
VP's of Fundraising
VP's of Outreach
Membership Chair
Grants
Monday Messenger
Website
IS Staff Liaison
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SCHOOL DIRECTORY & LINKS
Attendance 425-456-6545
Main Office 425-456-6500
MS Counseling 425-456-6546
HS Counseling 425-456-6542
Registrar 425-456-6535
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CONFUSED ABOUT SOMETHING?
The ISPTSA is always here to help answer your IS questions.
Email us here, and we'll help you find the answers you need.
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SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
Donate Anytime!
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Please note that PayPal has transaction fees. | |
Or write your check to the International School PTSA and send it to:
ISPTSA
PO Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009
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MONDAY MESSENGER
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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Please submit articles by THURSDAY at 5:00 PM to news@isptsa.org.
- Please limit articles to 600 characters including spaces.
- Please include contact information for questions from readers.
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We encourage submissions that align with our mission.
- Submissions are subject to review by the ISPTSA and may be accepted, rejected, or edited.
- Please use a separate email for each article submitted.
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Documents in plain text are preferred, however, you are welcome to include an image or icon as a separate attachment—please do not include them in the body of your email or document.
- If you need to link to a registration form or document, send us either the address of the link or a pdf copy of the document.
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If you would like your article to repeat in successive Monday Messenger editions, please resubmit it for each edition in which you would like it to appear. If you do not resubmit it, it will not be republished.
- Note: you will receive an automatic confirmation email response once you submit material to the Monday Messenger.
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International School PTSA
P.O. Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009-0221
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