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Post by fridaycat on Aug 31, 2015 19:36:10 GMT
Updated for clarification: I see several responses from posters who think the scenario I describe is how I personally feel. It is not. The treasurer and secretary on the board are the ones expressing to our principal dissatisfaction with teacher involvement.
Thank you for your input. I had a feeling our school and the teachers' role in the PTO was no different than others' and I was correct. Our first public meeting of the year is tonight and I hope the 2 board members in question have a team player attitude.
I am the PTO president for our elementary school. I have a board who is getting very disgruntled at the lack of enthusiasm and meeting attendance from our teachers.
It is rare to see a teacher at our monthly PTO meetings and last week the PTO sponsored a back to school grade level breakfast for parents and teachers. No one on the board was able to share a first hand account of a teacher who thanked, acknowledged, or encouraged PTO participation and what PTO does for the school.
My board feels there is a direct connection to their lack of involvement and parent participation as well.
Last year we moved our fundraiser to doing it in house and were able to double our profits. It seems the teachers have no problem receiving the funds from our work but do little to nothing to be the TEACHER part of the PTO.
Are we the only school with this problem? Do you have any suggestions on how to increase teacher involvement?
Thanks for your input.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 31, 2015 19:39:11 GMT
No, teachers never attended meetings at our elementary school. Somehow the teachers would communicate their needs and the meetings were to get volunteers for those things and for fundraising to buy those things. I think the principal attended occasionally. The lack of parental involvement had nothing to do with teachers not attending, that was a totally separate issue.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 31, 2015 19:42:32 GMT
Here the principal attends, tells the PTA what the teachers need, and the PTA finds a way to get it done.
I don't think expecting teachers to attend meetings unpaid on their own time is a good way to foster a relationship with them.
IMO the PTA exists as a way to organize parents to help the school. It's not a forum for teachers to do extra work.
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Aug 31, 2015 19:44:56 GMT
If it's a Parent Teacher Organization it would seem like representation by both the P's and the T's would be expected. Otherwise it would be titled something like Parent Support Organization. If teachers are going to benefit from it they ought to be involved, or so it seems to me.
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Deleted
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Apr 27, 2024 18:20:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 19:46:54 GMT
Teachers do not attend ours, unless one is making a specific presentation (like requesting a classroom grant). The principal attends, the bilingual coordinator attends and usually that's it. The principal is responsible for communicating teacher needs, etc. to the PTA. We provide minutes and other information to everyone - including teachers - via email, Facebook, a printed newsletter and a few other avenues.
The tone of the OP is somewhat adversarial. I'd hope that doesn't come through to the teachers. IMO, the PTA/PTO exists to provide organized ways for parents to help the school, not to add more obligations to the teachers' already lengthy lists of responsibilities.
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Post by finally~a~mama on Aug 31, 2015 19:50:07 GMT
At my DD's school last year (her first year) the principal attended the meetings & one teacher rep (always the same one) -- a few times a counselor came too. I was kind of surprised. I expected more teacher involvement given the name of the organization. LOL I do wonder why they don't just rename it to something that reflects the fact that it is just a parent group.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 31, 2015 19:52:57 GMT
Teachers have not generally been at PTO meetings at my children's schools. I have generally thought of the organization as parent support for the school.
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MerryMom
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Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on Aug 31, 2015 19:55:17 GMT
When I was on the PTO board, our principal always attended. Unofficially, he asked a teacher from each grade level to attend a meeting. That way, a teacher had to only attend 2 or at most 3 meetings a year. Basically, they were allowed to flex out the time on another day. If the teachers lived in our district, they would usually attend our festivals or movie night (free admission) and they brought their own kids. I think the principal pointed out to them that they receive PTO funds so they can at least work over for two hours twice a year. The PTO gives each teacher a $50 to $100 stipend to use for classroom materials each year. I am a big supporter of teachers, but honestly I am getting sick and tired of hearing about how hard they have it. And gasp, might have to work over? ?!!!!!! Such horror!!!! I work in child welfare and do you know how many times I have fed kids or bought groceries for families out of my own pocket? How many times I gave hand me downs to families and foster families. How many times my "off time" is interrupted as I am on call once every four weeks? I average 4 hours a week of on-call time that is not extra pay. How many times, I treat kids for head lice? How much time I've spent handing out levy information, again not paid time. How many times I work over when we have an emergency removal (no overtime). How many times I have had to pay to kennel my dogs and make arrangements for my mom to stay at our house to babysit our son (when he was younger and my husband was on duty at the firehouse for 24 hours) because I had to accompany a runaway back home OR place children out of state? How many times I volunteer at the booth for various community events, decorate floats for our local parade, each year, all on our own time? How many times I have to vacuum and spray my car due to bed bugs, etc. etc. Sorry, vent over.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 31, 2015 19:56:18 GMT
If it's a Parent Teacher Organization it would seem like representation by both the P's and the T's would be expected. Otherwise it would be titled something like Parent Support Organization. If teachers are going to benefit from it they ought to be involved, or so it seems to me. What other job expects you to volunteer unpaid like that? The PTA doesn't benefit the teachers, it benefits the school. The school where the parent's child attends. It is their own child who benefits. That's why the parents do it.
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Deleted
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Apr 27, 2024 18:20:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 20:05:49 GMT
It seems in most schools here, the administration attends or at least the PTA president works with the principal. With all the meetings and other things outside of the classroom teachers are required to do, I wouldn't expect them at a meeting. As long as you can get some input in another way, I think it would be fine.
I may attempt to join the PTA again, but the last time I tried they never contacted me. So, things may have changed.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Aug 31, 2015 20:11:21 GMT
No not in my experience. I think they should be called something different, because they are usually a vehicle for the parents to support the teachers it is not a way for them to work together.
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AnotherPea
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 31, 2015 20:11:33 GMT
If it's a Parent Teacher Organization it would seem like representation by both the P's and the T's would be expected. Otherwise it would be titled something like Parent Support Organization. If teachers are going to benefit from it they ought to be involved, or so it seems to me. What other job expects you to volunteer unpaid like that? The PTA doesn't benefit the teachers, it benefits the school. The school where the parent's child attends. It is their own child who benefits. That's why the parents do it. Exactly. I was a PTA board member for years before becoming a teacher. I never once saw a parent remain active in the PTA once their own child left the school. To answer the OP's question: there has always been a teacher rep at the meetings I've attended. I've been around good and bad PTAs. Some had the crappy attitude in the OP. Most didn't.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 31, 2015 20:24:52 GMT
What other job expects you to volunteer unpaid like that? The PTA doesn't benefit the teachers, it benefits the school. The school where the parent's child attends. It is their own child who benefits. That's why the parents do it. Exactly. I was a PTA board member for years before becoming a teacher. I never once saw a parent remain active in the PTA once their own child left the school. To answer the OP's question: there has always been a teacher rep at the meetings I've attended. I've been around good and bad PTAs. Some had the crappy attitude in the OP. Most didn't. I completely agree. The OP has a very crappy attitude. Especially the part about "the teachers have no problem accepting our money"....ummmm...did you give the teachers personal bonus checks? Otherwise, what did you expect? A handwritten note that says "thanks for raising money to spend on your own child?" I think you need to reevaluate your organization's purpose and that will help your attitude.
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PaperAngel
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Post by PaperAngel on Aug 31, 2015 20:26:14 GMT
Despite the misleading name, teachers do not (regularly) participate in the PTA/PTO; rather, it's an organization that allows parents to partner with teachers for the education of students. Either a designated administrator or teacher attends the first & last meetings of the school year & are copied on all correspondence. The school representative emails requests, while parents spend their time & resources to fulfill teacher wishes, which may or may not benefit their specific children. What other job expects you to volunteer unpaid like that?... Every profession... Likewise, what other job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs?
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Jili
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 31, 2015 20:26:32 GMT
I am the PTO president for our elementary school. I have a board who is getting very disgruntled at the lack of enthusiasm and meeting attendance from our teachers. It is rare to see a teacher at our monthly PTO meetings and last week the PTO sponsored a back to school grade level breakfast for parents and teachers. No one on the board was able to share a first hand account of a teacher who thanked, acknowledged, or encouraged PTO participation and what PTO does for the school. My board feels there is a direct connection to their lack of involvement and parent participation as well. Last year we moved our fundraiser to doing it in house and were able to double our profits. It seems the teachers have no problem receiving the funds from our work but do little to nothing to be the TEACHER part of the PTO. Are we the only school with this problem? Do you have any suggestions on how to increase teacher involvement? Thanks for your input. Where I work, teachers generally do not attend PTO meetings--which occur in the evenings and sometimes during the school day. I feel like it is a lot to ask. I'm not here to whine about how much there is to do--but to just give a little insight. We have staff meetings, IEP team meetings, curriculum committee meetings, building-level committee meetings, grade-level team meetings--and probably a few more that I'm forgetting. Pretty much all of these take place either before or after school as it is. Where I work, no one argues about meetings taking place beyond contract hours. They just have to, because there just aren't enough hours in the day. It's understood. And then there are the chorus and band concerts which take place in the evening, and the school musical, science night, back-to-school picnic, PTO fundraising 5K, etc. Teachers go to these events, too, and that's done voluntarily. Teachers do work with the PTO-- here, there are some curriculum events that the PTO puts on, with input and support from the teachers (World's Fair simulation, etc.). There is definitely some connection that occurs, but it's behind the scenes and not necessarily at their scheduled meetings. PTO does breakfasts here, but it's low-key. Bagels, juice, etc. in the teacher workroom. That way everyone can get in there and get what they need whenever they have a minute to grab something. There's no expectation that everyone meet in there at the same time. Overall I think that the PTO and teachers can work quite well together and can have a positive relationship. Expectations on both sides, however, need to be realistic. At it's core, the PTO is a parent organization.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 31, 2015 20:30:37 GMT
Despite the misleading name, teachers do not (regularly) participate in the PTA/PTO; rather, it's an organization that allows parents to partner with teachers for the education of students. Either a designated administrator or teacher attends the first & last meetings of the school year & are copied on all correspondence. The school representative emails requests, while parents spend their time & resources to fulfill teacher wishes, which may or may not benefit their specific children. What other job expects you to volunteer unpaid like that?... Every profession... Likewise, what other job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs? I don't understand what you're saying when you quoted me. Aren't you asking the exact same question I asked? "What they job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs" is the same thing I asked.
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Jili
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Post by Jili on Aug 31, 2015 20:35:34 GMT
Despite the misleading name, teachers do not (regularly) participate in the PTA/PTO; rather, it's an organization that allows parents to partner with teachers for the education of students. Either a designated administrator or teacher attends the first & last meetings of the school year & are copied on all correspondence. The school representative emails requests, while parents spend their time & resources to fulfill teacher wishes, which may or may not benefit their specific children. Every profession... Likewise, what other job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs? I don't understand what you're saying when you quoted me. Aren't you asking the exact same question I asked? "What they job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs" is the same thing I asked. I'm guessing she is saying that what other profession/entity has a volunteer organization that people join to meet the needs of that entity. If my perception is accurate-- the PTO is a volunteer organization. If one doesn't want to volunteer or doesn't agree with the mission of the organization, then don't become involved. PTO programming funds are welcome and appreciated, but ultimately it's not the PTO who is responsible for funding the schools/making sure students have the resources they need.
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cakediva
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Post by cakediva on Aug 31, 2015 20:42:49 GMT
I'm done (YAY OMG YAY) as my youngest is starting high school this year.
But in our bylaws - the Principal must be at our meetings, and we are to have a staff representative as well. I think the only "must" was the Principal, the other community members were if they were available. But our Principal preferred to have a staff rep as well.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 31, 2015 20:46:20 GMT
Ours had always had one teacher attend who represented all the teachers. They would reach out to the other teachers before attending a meeting to gather feedback/issues. The principal would also attend. We booked them a block of time either at the start or end of the meeting so they wouldn't have to stay for the whole time if it didn't work with their schedule.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Aug 31, 2015 20:52:05 GMT
Despite the misleading name, teachers do not (regularly) participate in the PTA/PTO; rather, it's an organization that allows parents to partner with teachers for the education of students. Either a designated administrator or teacher attends the first & last meetings of the school year & are copied on all correspondence. The school representative emails requests, while parents spend their time & resources to fulfill teacher wishes, which may or may not benefit their specific children. Every profession... Likewise, what other job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs? I don't understand what you're saying when you quoted me. Aren't you asking the exact same question I asked? "What they job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs" is the same thing I asked. Exactly. Name another profession that expects YOU to volunteer without pay to meet its needs. Many professionals work with children year-round without the benefit of a volunteer organization to meet its needs/wants.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 20:55:40 GMT
The teachers send a representative to the PRO meetings.
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Post by zztop11 on Aug 31, 2015 20:56:08 GMT
I was a teacher for 30 years and never heard of a teacher attending the PTO meetings. Just wasn't done and wasn't expected.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 20:59:54 GMT
<snip>It seems the teachers have no problem receiving the funds from our work You realize, of course, that the teachers don't personally receive the funds from the PTA. It's the school. The PTA is providing funds for programs, materials, technology, continuing ed, whatever that is for the benefit of the school and the students. It's the stuff that the teachers need to do their job effectively. No one makes me volunteer or grovel to get the computer, supplies, phone, etc. that I need to do my job.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 31, 2015 21:00:38 GMT
I don't understand what you're saying when you quoted me. Aren't you asking the exact same question I asked? "What they job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs" is the same thing I asked. Exactly. What other profession expects YOU to volunteer without pay to meet its needs? Are teachers unable to participate because they are volunteering their time & money to support other jobs. Many professionals work with children year-round without the benefit of a volunteer organization to meet its needs/wants. It's not for the teachers. It's for the kids. It doesn't meet the needs of the teachers. It meets the needs of the kids. Teachers never expect it. Parents volunteer voluntarily. Because it benefits their own kids. Teachers should not be forced to volunteer involuntarily. That's what the OP was about. I can think of lots of other jobs that have volunteer organizations as support. Hospitals. I volunteer for a homeless shelter. There is paid staff and then a board of volunteers who do things like fundraise. I would say most non-profits have that model.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 21:03:20 GMT
I don't understand what you're saying when you quoted me. Aren't you asking the exact same question I asked? "What they job expects you to volunteer unpaid to meet its needs" is the same thing I asked. Exactly. Name another profession that expects YOU to volunteer without pay to meet its needs. Many professionals work with children year-round without the benefit of a volunteer organization to meet its needs/wants. Um. Pretty much every non-profit organization out there has an unpaid Board of Directors and usually other volunteers as well. Fundraising is usually a core component of the volunteer functions.
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PaperAngel
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Post by PaperAngel on Aug 31, 2015 21:06:41 GMT
...The PTA doesn't benefit the teachers, it benefits the school. The school where the parent's child attends. It is their own child who benefits. That's why the parents do it. The school is also where the teacher works, usually long after the students of the parents active in the PTA/PTO attend. In my experience, the PTA/PTO funds large ticket items, such as SmartBoards, at the request of teachers who will use them beyond that one year. For the record, my own child has NEVER benefited from my participation in certain PTA/PTOs. I volunteer my time & donate money at the public school, while our child attends a private school.
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Jili
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Post by Jili on Aug 31, 2015 21:09:38 GMT
On their website, the national PTA organization states that it's purpose is to "make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children". They really promote themselves as a child advocacy organization--a larger purpose than raising money for schools, which is certainly how it seems to look at a building level.
I also think it's important to remember that the PTO/PTA and the local schools are separate entities. Schools don't start PTO groups. They are organized by parents. They run their own organization, raise their own funds, keep track of their money, etc. The school has nothing to do with this. Again, PTO/PTA is voluntary. If you don't want to be involved, then don't join.
I did join PTA when my kids were in elementary and junior high. I'm still a member now that I have a dd in high school, but it's called a "Booster" organization and is not affiliated with a national organization. I didn't have huge involvement, but I did volunteer for events when I could. I still do, though I tend to focus my efforts within the music aspect of things. One reason I would not have chosen to become involved in PTO at my workplace is because for me, it was important to have some involvement and connection with events and people at my own children's school.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 21:12:22 GMT
...The PTA doesn't benefit the teachers, it benefits the school. The school where the parent's child attends. It is their own child who benefits. That's why the parents do it. The school is also where the teacher works, usually long after the students of the parents active in the PTA/PTO attend. In my experience, the PTA/PTO funds large ticket items, such as SmartBoards, at the request of teachers who will use them beyond that one year. So what? These are items that teachers need to DO THEIR JOBS. The school SHOULD provide them, but we have such a mess of a public school system that many don't/can't. It's not like PTAs are buying teachers personal cars or fancy clothes. It's just an f'ed up attitude that the teachers should be ever so grateful to have work materials.
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Aug 31, 2015 21:21:19 GMT
PTA in my building holds their meetings during the school day when we are working. Guess they don't want us there.
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 31, 2015 21:23:48 GMT
When I was on the PTO board, our principal always attended. Unofficially, he asked a teacher from each grade level to attend a meeting. That way, a teacher had to only attend 2 or at most 3 meetings a year. Basically, they were allowed to flex out the time on another day. If the teachers lived in our district, they would usually attend our festivals or movie night (free admission) and they brought their own kids. I think the principal pointed out to them that they receive PTO funds so they can at least work over for two hours twice a year. The PTO gives each teacher a $50 to $100 stipend to use for classroom materials each year. I am a big supporter of teachers, but honestly I am getting sick and tired of hearing about how hard they have it. And gasp, might have to work over? ?!!!!!! Such horror!!!! I work in child welfare and do you know how many times I have fed kids or bought groceries for families out of my own pocket? r. [ Not having to work over while the teacher was such a rare event that they were very very happy and memorable. it was normal to stay 2 to 4 hours after the end of the day and still take homework. I gave myself Saturdays off but Sunday was always a teacher workday for me. And then there are the extra things that we did, like attending football game so there's a teacher presennce, chaperoning dances, volunteering for clubs, committees, the request for teacher time goes on and on and on . And don't forget that continued education as a requirement of teachers. So many teachers are balancing all these demands with classwork that they themselves have to do in order to continue their certification. of course, since I was a high school teacher, I never benefited from the PTO. There were no PTOs for high school. And I would have to say that giving me $50-$100 would've made a very small dent into what I personally put out for my classroom. I don't want to say the teachers have it worse than anyone, but the demand on our time is very real. I often thought that I had more time for other people's children than I had for my own. And the thanks that A teacher receives is minimal. We receive more gripes then compliments by far. A teacher's job is the one job that too many people seem to think they know the job better than the teacher does. But it was a good job for me and I enjoyed it. Ok.... Vent over.... I love how we can disagree and both be right!
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