May 9, 2026
<p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/cae02494-2246-56bc-a539-c5cd18e4e398?fingerprint=ppb20251217062538" alt="image-5" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">May 8, 2026</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Time sure flies by when you’re having fun. That must be why this year seems to be going so fast.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we move through the busy and beautiful month of May, I want to take a moment to share how truly honoured I feel to serve as your child’s principal. Each day, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow alongside your children - they bring such energy, curiosity, and joy to our school community, and it is a privilege to be part of their journey.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You would have recently received a written summary or took part in student-led conferences as the Informal Learning Update that occurs each Spring. These are important ways for us to share your child’s progress and celebrate their growth. If you have any questions or would like further insight into your child’s learning, I encourage you to reach out directly to their classroom teacher.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As always, please know that I am here for you as well. Whether you have questions, feedback, or simply want to connect, I welcome you to reach out to me at any time. Strong communication between school and home makes all the difference, and I am grateful for the partnership we share.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wishing you and your family a wonderful May,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Shelly Cull 😊</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2</strong></b><b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong class="editor-text-bold">nd</strong></sup></b><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Annual Glow Gallery</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – </span><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/highland-park-elementary-glow-gallery-returns" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to read more about Highland Park School’s Glow Gallery. This year’s theme was the Enchanted Forest. We are so proud of each individual art contribution, but more importantly is how each individual piece is part of something so magical, so synergetic. The Glow Gallery is a collective representation of how the whole can be much greater than the sum of it’s parts. Thank you students and teachers for your efforts in creating this experience for each other and our families. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Class Photos</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Monday, May 11 is class photo day. Grade 5s are asked to bring their hoodie for a HPE grade 5 graduation hoodie photo! StrongStart and Just B4 families are invited to get their class photos taken at recess on the back playground. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Drop off and Pick up – </strong></b><a href="https://hpe.sd83.bc.ca/parking-lot-instructions" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to access the information needed to navigate our parking lot at pick up and drop off time.</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please make pick up and drop off a quick process. If you want to visit with other parents, use your phone, or watch your child as they walk to their line at morning drop off, please find parking so that others are able to use the Kiss and Ride Lane the way its intended. This is supposed to be fast moving so lots of traffic can access this lane for pick up and drop off.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1. </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Allow space for two lanes of traffic along the kiss and ride lane. One for Kiss and Ride and one for Through traffic. </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine a center line and stick to one side of it.</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> This ensures people behind you can access the Kiss and Ride Lane and pull up to the very end at all times. We ask that Through traffic yield to traffic exiting out of the Kiss and Ride Lane.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2. DO NOT BLOCK CROSSWALKS </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">with your vehicle. When walking, </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">use crosswalks only</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, especially with your children. Do not walk cross the two lanes of traffic – the Kiss and Ride and Through Lane. Wait, or look for space available at the front of the Kiss and Ride line.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">3. When using the Kiss and Ride lane for pick up or drop off, </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">use your signal</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">pull up to the very end of the Kiss and Ride Lane</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and signal to enter back in the through lane. Be quick, </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">stay in your vehicle</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, have children load and unload on the passenger side of the vehicle using the sidewalk, not from the Through lane. As vehicles in front of you exit the Kiss and Ride Lane, drive ahead in the Kiss and Ride Lane to maximize the space available. At morning drop off, be watchful and anticipate the possibility drivers ahead of you making space. Wait, move up before allowing your children to exit the vehicle. At afternoon pick up, consider turning your vehicle off while waiting but be ready to move ahead as space becomes available. If you find you can’t be quick enough, then please find parking. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Turn right ONLY onto Wood Avenue during our busiest times (7:40 – 8:00 AM and 1:50 – 2:10 PM). </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside of these times, two vehicles can fit at the stop line if the vehicle turning left keeps to the very left of the line.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Do not park in staff designated areas during our busy times (see picture below). This prevents the need to turn around and back up into congested areas. The road leading to the back of the daycare is for staff parking, accessible parking permit holders and daycare traffic ONLY.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/5435a770-62c5-592a-be37-1fdd5eebed3b?fingerprint=ppb20251217061024" alt="image" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Walking your wheels – </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is that time of year where more and more people are riding bikes and scooters to school. Please ensure that all items with wheels are walked on school grounds from 7:30 – 2:30 pm. Students are asked to dismount their wheels upon entering the school ground and walk their wheels and wait until they are off school property to ride their wheels. Also please ensure your child wears a helmet. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">May 5 was National Teacher Appreciation Day</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Last week several students helped Mrs. Cull put together a little video thanking our teachers. This video was shown at our whole school assembly on May 5. Also, a big thank you to our parents and PAC for the wonderful gift of chocolates and the refreshments to start the day. We are very grateful that you chose to recognize Teacher Appreciation Day and lift the spirits of our staff in this way.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Husky Strong Assemblies</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - At our most recent assembly we recognized students (one per division) who demonstrated behaviours associated with ACHIEVING (April focus of Mastery) and learned more about gratitude as a means to show RESPECT to everyone (May focus of Generosity). For more information about our assemblies and topics in support of promoting student wellness and belonging, </span><a href="https://hpe.sd83.bc.ca/documents/d60bcb9d-da67-4f5f-8d43-c464ef4d0a06/HUSKY-STRONG-ASSEMBLIES-2025-2026.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20251217062704" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Given that respect is our theme this month, and student to student interactions have been a big focus in our School Learning Plan, I shared some growth with our whole school today at our assembly based on the preliminary results from our recently completed Student Learning Survey. This is an annual survey that all grade 4 students throughout the province complete. It is also administered to students in grade 7, 10, 11 and 12. The survey is designed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care to capture students’ perceptions of their school and learning experiences. Thank you to the grade 4 parents who also gave their feedback. This information is used to reflect on our efforts this school year and guide decisions as part of our School Learning Planning for the 2025 – 2026 school year. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are the four small pieces of growth that I shared on May 5 at our whole school assembly, based on the preliminary results. More information will be shared at an upcoming PAC meeting (likely June) and included in our 2026 – 2027 School Learning Plan. I look forward to reviewing more of the data with the staff in more detail at an upcoming staff meeting, and compare our results with the over all grade 4 results from the district as a whole. The percentage shared reflects the % of students in grade 4 responding most or all of the time to the following questions that we are monitoring.</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 25%;"><col style="width: 25%;"><col style="width: 25%;"><col style="width: 25%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2025 – 2026 results</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2024 – 2025 results</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2023 – 2024 results</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you like School?</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">70%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">45%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">58%</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you feel safe at school?</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">82%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">70%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">74%</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you know how your school expects you to behave?</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">95%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">85%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">80%</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students in my school treat each other with respect, even if they are not friends.</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">55%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">33%</span></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">32%</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are also exploring ways to survey all students at HPE to get a better sense of how all students are feeling given the questions we are monitoring as part of our School Learning Plan. While we continue to have work to do in these areas in support of students and their interactions with each other, I’m very proud of the gains we are seeing. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/mindful-moments" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to access Monthly Mindful Moments containing ideas to support youth and families with nurturing social/emotional wellbeing. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School Crossing Art Show</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Several students from HPE and other students from Armstrong schools have their artwork on display at the Armstrong and Spallumcheen Museum and Art Gallery. The display will be available until May 23 anytime Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00 pm. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2026 – 2027 Student Placement Input from parents due Friday, May 22</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – In case you missed the message in our April Newsletter, a separate email was sent out this past Wednesday as well. Please read carefully and follow the instructions. Thank you for taking the time to provide your input.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2026 – 2027 School Calendar - </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In case you missed it in our April Newsletter, </span><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/documents/921adfa0-748d-4776-b72c-222bfb371a9d/SD83-2026-2027-School-Calendar.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260316201307" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to access the calendar for next school year. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Swimming Lessons for Grade 3</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – PAC has committed to funding swimming lessons again for classrooms with grade 3 students during </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the week of May 25 – 29</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. This is a huge cost savings for families and we appreciate the importance that PAC places on swim safety for our students. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Daughtry</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> –Tuesday and Thursday, 9:25 – 10:25, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 – 11:30</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Ricard</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Monday and Tuesday 10:30 – 11:30, Wednesday 9:25 – 10:25, Friday 11:35 – 12:35</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="padding-inline-start: 40px;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Coombs</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 12:40 – 1:40</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fun Swims – </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are excited to offer fun swims for class in May and June. Please take note of the dates and times sent home in classroom communication. Unfortunately, only those requested to volunteer will be permitted in the pool area. The pool rules only allow for a certain number of individuals on deck. On swimming days, please send students to school in their swimming gear, towel, change of clothes and an extra hearty lunch. The swim times are also in our online calendar of upcoming events, so please </span><a href="https://hpe.sd83.bc.ca/calendar" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to access them and other happenings.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Track and Field</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Students in grades 4 and 5 will participating in track and field events on Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14 in order to determine qualifying students to represent our school at the district track and field meet on Tuesday, June 2 in Salmon Arm. Permission forms will be sent home soon along with information for the various events your child has been selected to participate in. We will be looking for approved volunteers who have all their driver’s information at the office to drive students on this day. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cross Country Running</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – We had approximately 110 students K-5 participating as part of our Highland Park Cross Country Running Team. In addition to the race at AES, our team competed at the Little Mountain Stomp race in Salmon Arm where approximately 1400 students from all elementary schools in the district competed. At the Little Stomp race, two students from HOE placed in the top 6 for their race category. Congratulations to Everin Lucas in kindergarten for placing fourth out of all the kindergarten students participating. Congratulations to Sawyer Swiecicki in grade 4 for placing first out of all the grade 3/4 boys participating. Go Huskies Go! </span><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/little-mountain-stomp-2026" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to read more about the event.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade 5 transition</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – </span><a href="https://hpe.sd83.bc.ca/news/grade-5-transition-information-2026-20260505220115" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to access the transition opportunities to help get our grade 5 students acquainted with the school and some of the staff at Len Wood Middle School. Hard copies of this notice has been sent home. There is a lot of coordination involved to assist with a smooth transition for students and their families. Please save Tuesday, June 2 in your calendar as this will be when Len Wood Middle School will host parents for an information session. Stay tuned for more information. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fun Day</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Our PAC is planning our annual Fun Day on Monday, June 22. More information will be forthcoming about this day. Students will be participating in a variety of activities including swimming in celebration of our school year coming to a close. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">PAC AGM May 13 at 2:30 pm</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Please ensure any PAC Executive Nomination forms are completed and get to the office as soon as possible. The Nomination form was emailed to families on April 9. You can also contact the office as we have some copies available there for anyone interested. While the forms are helpful, we will accept nominations from the floor as well. We will be voting in a whole new executive. We are so appreciative of the leadership our existing PAC has demonstrated for so many years. A big thank you to Julie, President, Tamara Vice President, Amanda, Treasurer and Brittany, Secretary for all they have done in support of our school and students. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Spirit Day</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – </span><a href="https://hpe.sd83.bc.ca/news/spirit-days-at-hpe-%E2%80%93-highland-park-elementary-school-1761685030494" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to view the schedule of spirit days. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to show your school spirit. Our next spirit day is on Friday, May 22, Biggest FAN Day. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">UXO Presentation for classes with Grade 3 students</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – On Tuesday, May 12 we have a UXO Safety Presentation (Unexploded Ordnance) for classes with grade 3 students. This is an annual initiative raise awareness and levels of safety. Presentations are taking place in Ms. Daughtry’s class from 10:40 – 11:18, Ms. Ricard’s class from 12:10 – 12:50 and Ms. Coombs’ class from 12:55 – 1:40. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to Kindergarten Event</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – If you are registered for kindergarten for the 2025 - 2026 school year, please check your email for information about the </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">kindergarten orientation</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> planned for the morning of Wednesday, May 27. Please feel free to call the school for more information.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Triathlon</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Classes with grade 4 and 5 students will be participating in this year’s triathlon which is taking place on Friday, June 5. Bikes are welcome to come to school on Wednesday, June 2 and MUST be picked up after the event on Friday, June 5. A big thank you to Peter Byrnes and Jenny Daughtry for helping with the coordination of this amazing opportunity and HPE tradition for our students. We will have a designated area for spectators. Approved volunteers will be utilized along the route and have lanyards to identify themselves to our staff and students. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Div. 2 and 3 Fundraiser</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Please consider supporting Mr. Byrnes and Mr. Benge’s classes on Saturday, May 23 for the annual Hotdog fundraiser at Askews. These funds go to support classroom based year end initiatives. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><a href="https://hpe.sd83.bc.ca/calendar" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to access our calendar online to keep informed of the happenings at Highland Park Elementary. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/68196ed8-3f52-5557-95ce-30bcae30a0de?fingerprint=ppb20251217061303" alt="image-3" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
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