16
HISTORY OF THE BENTLEY SCHOOLA Compilation of Articles Comprising the History of the Bentley School
For Bentley's Seventy-Fifth Anniversary
Compiled by Marg Beddoes
Pioneer residents of Bentley saw the need for the formation of a school district as early as 1902. Subsequent, a Board of Trustees were elected for the proposed Springdale School District of Northwest Territories. The name was later changed to Oxford at the suggestion of Mr. Harry Brownlow, in memory of his hometown in England. The first three trustees elected to the Oxford School District #697 were William McPherson, A.J. Shannon and James Murray.
The School District of Oxford was small, encompassing an area of two by five miles.
The board hired a teacher by the name of Grace Wilson with duties to commence in June of 1902. The first school inspector was D.P. McCall.
It was not too long before the need for a properly built school arose. At a meeting in January 1903, it was agreed to purchase a one and a half acre of land. It was decided the school would be twenty-two feet wide, thirty-eight feet long with twelve foot posts, and the front six feet to be partitioned off for an entrance.
Mrs. Mary Porterfield was hired as a teacher of the school for a period of eight months beginning in May 1903 at a salary of forty-five dollars per month.
Article by Mr. Kenneth Dare - Former Pioneer and Student of Bentley:
Early in January 191, the citizens of Bentley who had children of high school age made financial donations to the Oxford S.D. (Bentley Village) and with this private help, that School District opened a high school classroom in Bentley.
The first Bentley High School opened in 1916 in a log building belonging to the Methodist Church of that date. It was situated on the same corner lot now occupied (1991) by the United Church of Canada. It had been the original pioneer church of the Bentley community but some five to ten years earlier had been replaced as a church sanctuary by a more modern brick building complete with belfry and bell. This newer church set in front of the older log building and to the north of it adjoining the main street east and west. Behind the log building and further south but on the same lot was a long covered shed to provide some shelter for the several teams of horses necessary at that time to bring distant members of the congregation to church. The church parsonage was located on an adjoining lot to the west and on the back of that lot was a stable for the team of horses necessary for a church minister at that time. The two lots were therefore quite compact with buildings and no playground was available other than the north to south street adjoining these lots on the east. Following the completion of the brick church, the older log building had become a sort of club house for various church and community groups. The usual classroom desks were not provided. Instead of these, the Board installed four long tables and four or five students were seated behind each on chairs facing the blackboard. A drawer was provided for each student to store books, pencils, paper and other student possessions. The only books in the room were the textbooks provided by students themselves. There certainly was no classroom dictionary. I do not recall even a yardstick but I do remember the teacher using a piece of chalk on the end of a string to teach the geometry of the circle.
The Village blacksmith was Chairman of the Board. He was a hard-working and respected citizen named Herb Birch. The Secretary-Treasurer operated the Village meat market. His name was Bert Thorpe.
There were at least fifteen students who enrolled in that classroom in January 1917. They were Ethel Blish, Frances Court, Florence Court, Joe Damron, Kenneth Dane, Nellie Pallis, a sister of Nellie Pallis, Gladys Garries, Harry Garries, Campbell Millar, Florence Millar, Connie Taylor, Doris Taylor and Eva Williams. There may have been one or two more. The grades taught ranged from VII to XI inclusive.
The teacher of the first high school was Miss Helen Roscoe. She was probably about four years older than her senior students. She held a first class teacher's certificate and had completed one or two years of University towards a degree in Arts. She was burdened with all the subjects of four grades and consequently could do little more than assign lessons and hold recitation periods. It was mostly a case that we prepared by self study an assigned lesson and recited what we had learned when our time came.
While we learned a great deal in this manner and a fair number of us passed our Departmental Examinations, I think the most important contribution of our teacher was her exceptional personality. She quickly won the esteem and admiration of the entire student body and became their counsellor and leader in the social life of both the school and the community. In as much as her students were all products of a pioneer rural and village background, her social training was of great value to us all in our need to grow up.
There were other sidelights and anecdotes relates to the school and education which should be of interest. I have a vivid recollection of a forenoon recess period in the fall of 1917 when all the boys rushed down to the railway right of way to see the construction crew laying the steel rails into Bentley. We arrived just in time to see Mayor Archie Putnam all dressed in official regalia presenting a scroll and large key to the foreman and his crew which gave them the freedom of the Village. A short time later, the work train pulled its first carload of coal from Lacombe to Bentley for a charge of $57.00 or about $1.60 per ton. To Bentley folk, who had been paying five to six dollars per ton for horse drawn coal the same distance, this was real progress and later when I learned that our railroads were moving wheat from Alberta to the Lakehead for less than one half cent per ton-mile, I acquired a proper respect for railroad services.
But, probably the greatest outside influence on school and community education at that time was the church. The minister, Reverend A.D. Miller, a former professor of Theology at St. Stephen's College, was a highly educated and scholarly man. He had a good private library of several hundred well chosen books which he made available to every interested person in the community. He organized a young men's class which met after church and discussed social problems of many forms, particularly those relating to sex such as venereal disease. In those days such problems were usually swept under a rug. Reverend Miller pulled them out into the open and in a wholesome class discussion, put them in proper perspective. Mrs. Miller had a similar class for young ladies.
Reverend Miller had many hobbies and photography was one. He organized a photography class and taught its members how to make pictures. He made pin-hole cameras and used them to take pictures. He taught the chemistry and physics of the subject and in general, became a village authority on all aspects of the subject.
On one occasion, the high school was without a teacher for nearly a month. To help the students in their home studies, Reverend Miller opened the school for a couple of half days each week and helped us with our difficulties. On one such occasion, he taught us the formula for solving a quadratic equation and how to use the formula after we had it. I have never forgotten that lesson. It was truly a masterpiece. I would say that few, if any of hundreds of lessons I received during my school days have stayed by me so well or proved as useful as that lesson.
In my opinion, Reverend Miller and his wife, by their personal example, made us think for ourselves and gave us goals for achievement and standards of excellence which were to remain with us during adult life. In brief, they helped us grow up which is surely the purpose of true education.
Information by Former Teacher and Vice-Principal, Cecil Galloway:
By the year 1920, there was need for a new school in the Oxford School District. The school trustees, C.F. Damron, E.J. Wyatt and J.R. Hutton instructed the secretary, Mr. Herbert Thorp, to write to the Department of Education to obtain particulars for the building of a new four-room school. It was finally decided to build a two-room school with an extra classroom for domestic science. The estimated cost of the building was ten thousand dollars. The school district borrowed twelve thousand dollars to be paid back over twenty years at a rate of seven percent. Mr. Rathwell's bid to build the school was accepted. The land was donated by Major MacPherson.
One of the ways of raising money was the introduction of a Poll Tax of four dollars, in 1921. Community minded people then, as now, recognized the need for motivation in schools and the recognition of achievement. In 1923, Reverent J.H. Nightingale of the Methodist Church donated prize money for achievement in grades seven to eleven.
Throughout the early twenties, overcrowding became a problem. In 1928, the community hall was rented for a classroom for one year. During the same year plans were made to build a two-room school. It was built on a lot purchased from C.F. Damron and Mr. Frank Hewitt's bid of $1,645.00 was accepted.
The teaching of grade twelve for the first time took place in 1940. By 1949, the need for a larger school became acute. The new school had four classrooms on the main floor; science laboratory, typing room, shop and domestic science were located in the basement. There were two older rooms on the south side and in addition, there were four rooms upstairs. Mr. Jack Rogers was the Bentley representative of the Lacombe School Division.
At the time the Lacombe School Division was being formed, bussing became an important segment of the community school. Mr. Elmer Calkins started bussing with one bus in 1947. Two more buses were purchased in 1948 and two more in 1949. More were added up to 1954 until Mr. Calkins had a fleet of nine, ranging from thirty-six to fifty-four passengers. The number of students transported to the Bentley School was approximately four hundred by the year 1954.
Highlights/Remembrances by Mr. Gus Bruns, Former Teacher, Principal of Bentley and Former Superintendent of Lacombe County:
To begin with, in the summer of 1951, my wife and I (and two small children) moved from a teacherage in the middle of the Eckville school grounds to what must have been the oldest house in Bentley which, by the way, is still standing. To our delight and surprise, we had hardwood floors, two separate bedrooms on the second floor and above all, there was an indoor bathroom including toilet facilities.
To move to Bentley to take on a the job as principal was indeed a change from a smaller staff of five including two teachers, myself as principal and teacher and Miss Phyllis Young (Mrs. Al Herman) had to teach grades IX to XII. Phyllis taught English IX, IX and X, Social IX to XII and French X to XII. I taught various courses but mainly the maths and sciences. It was a pleasant change to find there were four high school teachers for the same number of grades in Bentley. The credit loads were reduced considerably. The student enrolment was large enough for twelve or more teachers. If I remember correctly, there were four teachers for IX to XII. The 1951-52 graduation class was small - about four or five students - ask Joe Berze. Each year thereafter, the enrolment increased as did the staff. In 1960-61, the number of students in grade twelve had increased to thirty-one. The 1962-63 high school staff consisted of me, Mr. Al Herman (Vice-Principal), Mr. John Predy, Mr. Jack Fotheringham, Mr. Baker, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Dorin, Mrs. Blake and Mrs. Burnham. Note that Mrs. Herman (Phyllis Young) who was on the high school staff for many years had taken leave of absence to raise a family and Mr. Ernie Ingram had taken a new position with the Alberta Teacher's Association. The high school staff had thus increased from four to nine.
With respect to the school buildings, there was room for improvement. I understand that when the older brick school closed, a new two room school was first built where the new school now stands and where "my" old school before the fire also stood. Four rooms with full basement were added to the north and when centralizing of all rural schools was completed, another storey of six classrooms was added above the original. Not all students from grade one to twelve were housed in this two storey, stuccoed building. As I recall, Marg McKinnon taught grade two in a rural school moved in from the country and two grade one classes were taught in the old brick school now occupied by the Elks and the Legion.
The main stucco building had four or five rooms in the basement - a typing room, home economics room, industrial arts room and a four by eight room for a library where our kind hearted, dedicated librarian, Mrs. Dickau, kept her books - she deserved a medal. The furnace room was next door. Grades three to nine occupied the main floor and grades ten to twelve occupied the top floor along with a physics and chemistry lab. At this time, there was no gymnasium. About 1954, I asked the Board for a gym. Mr. R.V. McCullough (Superintendent), Archie Carlyle and Jack Rogers met me and wanted an explanation regarding how badly did we really need a gym. Thanks to Archie and Jack, the gym addition was approved. Mr. McCullough was not really convinced. The new addition of a gym was a popular and well used addition. It was about this time when the staff and I were happy to get another addition to our staff - a school secretary and we had some good people - a great help to all of us - remember Mrs. Charley Smith, Mrs. Hives, etc. Thinking back, I often wonder how I got along without a secretary.
The student body consisted mainly of boys and girls from rural areas - probably about two-thirds from the country and one-third from the village. By the time - twelve years - they rode the bus that long, the grade twelve students asked for and favoured the idea of completing grade twelve in one year. Prior to this time, students were encouraged to spend two years on a strictly academic program in grade twelve. The staff and I were very proud of the accomplishments of our students. After completing grade twelve, they were to become successful lawyers, dentists, teachers, nurses, housewives, farmers, tradesmen, etc.
It has been a real pleasure to meet years after and find out how well they have done - many happy reunions. Much credit goes to the excellent teaching staff and cooperative parents. One cannot overlook the active Home and School Association - they helped too, to set the tone of the school. During those years, I can recall the many awards the students received. A pleasant remembrance I recall a student, Fred Laux, who was a drop-out for a number of years from Rimbey - greener pastures on the railroad business. He came to Bentley to pick up where he left off - grade twelve. The student body made him president of the Student's Union even though he was considerably older. He finished grade twelve with honours and I remember meeting him shortly after finishing grade twelve and his comment was and I quote "Gosh Mr. Bruns. Every time I go for the mail, I get some kind of scholarship." Fred is still a professor at the University of Alberta - a lawyer.
The principal before me started what was called the "Bentley Snowball" or just "The Snowball". It was still and still is held shortly before Christmas. It consisted of crowning the High School Queen, some choral singing, one or two one-act plays, a floor show and possibly a tumbling demonstration. I have to smile when I recall being responsible for the floor show. All I knew about dancing was the hat and toe polka, old time waltz and French minuet. It was not long before those big boys like Laverne Anderson could do the old time waltz better than anyone. The other big event of the year was the graduation. At one such graduation held in the community hall (the gym had not been built yet) the ceremony was interrupted by a message from Dr. Weaver which read: "Mr. Bruns, it's a boy" - and Jim Bruns came into the world and is now in the new industrial arts building teaching the babes of the students I once taught - some thirty years ago.
When I arrived in Bentley, the buses were owned and operated by Elmer Calkins along with his helper and long time driver, Roy Hunter. I take my hat off to these "boys" - rain, snow or what have you, the buses nearly always arrived on time. Now the buses are operated by Mr. Willard Griffiths.
In 1972, while Superintendent of Schools, I took a brief holiday in southern United States. While there I heard the shocking news that the old two storey building had burnt to the ground. Apparently some addition was going to be added to the gym - kitchen facilities, maybe. The building crew started thawing the ground during the winter for foundations, a wind came up and before anyone could do anything, it was too late. Since then, another building has replaced the old one but for a couple of years the high school students were bussed into Lacombe.
Luckily a new elementary school had been constructed in about 1957 across the road from the older building. This construction also included an Industrial Arts room - no doubt good use was made of the new school for added rooms to take care of some of the students in the upper grades during this emergency.
To conclude, I would be reminisce if I didn't add that my wife and I really enjoyed teaching and living in Bentley. Certainly it was one of the highlights of my teaching career.
Ed Jahraus, Former Teacher and Vice-Principal:
Prior to 1957, school for the Bentley elementary students was held in a number of different buildings in Bentley. The Carritt School from the country was moved to a location just west of the present Elks/Legion Hall. A Grade Two class was taught in it. The present Elks/Legion Hall, formerly Oxford School, had two Grade One classes in it. Other elementary grades were in the old high school.
In the spring of 1957, building of the present elementary school was started as the junior and senior high school population was growing and the elementary students had to find a new home. Grades five and six had to use the high school gym and had an opportunity of experiencing the "open" style classroom as one large classroom with no partitions. As rooms in the new elementary school were partially completed, students gradually moved into the rooms even though walls were only plywood and electric light bulbs hung at the end of electric cords dangling from the ceilings. County employees and several extra hired carpenters, painters, etc. worked to finish the building, rubbing shoulders with teachers and students as they worked. No one complained as students and teachers alike looked forward to teaching and learning in a new, beautiful building. Carl Juuti, "builder in chief", and his men did a fine job completing the ten room building in 1958.
Ed Jahraus was hired as principal of the new school in 1958. Gus Bruns was principal of all grades until the new building was completed. The school population continued to grow until there were two rooms for each grade and eventually a staff of twelve teachers and a librarian were required to operate the new building. The Carritt school was moved from downtown to an area just east of the hospital when the new school became overcrowded. Mrs. Ruth Sweetman and later Mrs. Stewart spent a number of years in the Carritt School until it was eventually closed as the school population began to decline. After a fire destroyed the high school in 1972, grade seven was moved into the elementary school to help accommodate the school's students. This was a trying time for students, teachers and administrators. With further declining elementary school populations causing split grades, the administration of all grades was placed under one principal, with a vice-principal for grades one to six.
1973 - 1991 by Ralph Scarlett, Former Teacher and Principal:
The Bentley Junior-Senior School burned to the ground in February 1972. Grades seven and eight students were accommodated in the elementary school and grades nine to twelve were bussed to Lacombe. Mr. Ray Coates was the principal and Mr. Don Spicer was the vice-principal of the school when it burned. Mr. Ed. Jahraus was principal and Mr. Cecil Galloway was the vice-principal of the elementary school. The staff of grades nine to twelve students went to Lacombe along with the students to teach for the remainder of 1972 and all of the 1973 year.
Before a new school was built in Bentley, a number of community meetings were held. The two main options were to just build a junior high school and continue to bus the high school students to Lacombe or to replace the junior-senior high school. The community overwhelmingly supported the replacement of the junior-senior high school program. The County of Lacombe agreed to rebuild the school with the insurance money received. This resulted in a reduction in the size of the school from fourteen teaching stations to eight teaching stations. Ellis Construction of Lacombe was awarded the contract to build the new school. It was planned to phase in the high school over three years but community meeting determined that all three grades would be included in the school when in re-opened in September 1973.
School opened a week later in 1973 due to construction problems. When the school opened, it had to work around construction with the gymnasium not being completed until late October. Although a number of students chose to continue attending school in Lacombe, eighty-five students started high school in Bentley in the fall of 1973. Mr. Jahraus left the elementary school to teach in Lacombe. Mr. Ralph Scarlett became the principle of grades one to twelve with Mr. Cecil Galloway and Mr. Walter Neumenko as vice-principals. Mr. D. Spicer, Mr. J. Dixon, Mr. A. Lutz and Mr. H. Friesen returned with the students to resume teaching in Bentley. The total school population in September 1973 was 390 students in grades one to twelve with a staff of approximately twenty teachers.
The school continued to grow through the seventies with the high school population being 415. The largest graduation class totalled thirty-six in 1978. Over-crowding was a constant problem. Community meetings were held regarding this problem and a portable classroom was added for business education in 1977. The elementary gymnasium was re-converted back to an industrial arts lab in 1978 and a new gymnasium was built on the elementary school. The industrial arts lab has offered a junior high school program to Bentley and Eckville since that time. The crowding led to classes being held in the libraries, gymnasiums, industrial arts labs and the typing room. It was even necessary to conduct two classes in the same classroom on a few occasions. A unique situation in the new junior-senior high school was the triple classroom which started operation without any walls, then had folding walls which were not sound-proof and finally in the 1980's, was remodelled into two classrooms with a permanent wall.
Mr. Walter Neumenko left Bentley in 1975 to become principal in Blackfalds. He was replaced by Mr. Ken Marquart. Mr. Marquart left in 1978 to take a principal ship in Red Deer. Mr. Ralph Craig replaced Mr. Marquart and left Bentley in 1979 to become principal of J.S. McCormick School in Lacombe. Mr. Norman Start had previously taught in Bentley and returned as vice-principal for 1978 to 1981. Mr. Marvin Pickering replaced Mr. Start for the years 1981 to 1983 and then transferred to Lacombe and later to the principal ship of Clive. Mr. Gordon Graves became a vice-principal in 1983 and continued on, except for a one year leave of absence in 1987 when he was replaced by Mr. Lionel Leiske. Mr. Cecil Galloway retired in 1983 after thirty-three years of teaching in Bentley. The school operated with just one vice-principal until Mr. Wayne Hampton was appointed as a second vice-principal in 1985. He left Bentley to become principal of the new Nelson School. Mr. Arnie MacAskill was appointed vice-principal at this time. This administration team continued until the end of the 1991 school year when Mr. Scarlett retired.
During the early 1990's, school enrolments began to decline. The school reached a low enrolment of 305 in 1983-84 for grades one to twelve. The Country of Lacombe proposed closing the high school and bussing the students to Lacombe. A large community meeting was held determined to keep the high school open. The County Board of Education introduced a policy that called for a reduced program if student population dropped below sixty and closing the high school if it dropped below forty. The high school stayed near sixty dropping below the limit for one year (fifty-two students) and then began to rise again. The present high school population is over ninety students.
The economic boom of the early 80's was one of the main causes of the enrolment drop and teacher unrest. In 1979-80, seven teachers left during the school year for maternity leave or leaving the teaching profession. This instability created many challenges for staff and students of the school.
A number of new programs were added in the 1980's. A half-time learning resource position was added in the elementary school in 1980-81. The early childhood program was added to the school in the fall of 1983 and has remained in the school since that time. A band program was added for grades six and up in 1986 and continues very successfully with large community support. The high school added a distance learning program in 1989-90. This greatly increased the courses available to high school students. Programs such as computers, gifted programs, an enlarged business education program, and fine arts were enlarged and enhanced when the need arose. Another feature of the school in recent years is the presence of foreign exchange students. This has made Bentley students aware of our global worlds.
The school population took rapid jumps in 1989 and 1990. Over-crowding again became a major problem. The School Advisory Council approached the Board of Education regarding the problem and four portable rooms were added during the 1991-92 school year.
Students have been extremely successful both within the academic program in the school and in extra-curricular activities. Academic success has been shown through standardized testing such as achievement tests and diploma exams. Numerous scholarships and awards have been won by Bentley students. A very high percentage of the students continue to further education. International travel has become traditional every two years. Athletic teams and individuals have participated or won a number of county, regional and provincial competitions. Drama has been enhanced by the inclusion of programs such as the Missoula Theatre. Other events like the Snowball and turkey suppers continue as traditions.
The school and the community have had a very close and rewarding relationship. Community support for the school has allowed the school to keep its programs such as band and outdoor education. When needed, the community has supported the school and the school has assisted the community. Parents' assistance has enabled the school to keep a variety of programs operating that require additional manpower to maintain.
The Bentley School has been blessed with excellent teachers and support staff for the last eighteen years. With the exception of the early 80's, stability has allowed the school to fulfill its philosophy of meeting the needs of each individual student. The contributions of staff have made Bentley School a school to be proud of.
Grade twelve students of 1961: Andresen, Margaret; Beranek, Patricia; Bobye, Roland; Cabelka, Fred; Carlyle, Nancy; Carlyle, Walter; Fraser, Dwight; Hansen, Marlene; Holman, Kay; Hueppelsheuser, Dennis; Hunter, Vivian; Ironside, Lilian; Johanson, Gordon; Long, Elizabeth; Malcolm, Janet; Marler, David; McLachlan, Joyce; Nelson, Cyril; Nelson, Paula; Neumeier, Carl; Park, Victor; Peterson, Margaret; Peterson, Wendy; Pickering, Wilson; Raabis, Jim; Sambrooke, Elizabeth; Scouler, Carol; Sweetman, Kay; Weise, Sharon; Wilson; Sharon.
Grade twelve students of 1991: Anderson, Alma; Anderson, Angela; Baumbach, Philip; Carlyle, Drake; Epp, Murray; Forsyth, Jane; Fraser, Bert; Galbraith, John; Garries, Pamela, Giercke, Danny; Juuti, Tyler; Moore, Lisa; Mydland, Rachel; Neumeier; Chad; Oliver, Carla; Olson, Jennifer; Raabis, Ashley; Reid, Tammy; Robinson, Scott; Robinson, Shane; Smith, Tyler; Stotz, Shauna.
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Bentley School BusesAs the enrollment grew and rural schools began closing, it became necessary to have school buses.
The first bus contractor for the Bentley area was Elton Poling. In 1947 Elmer Calkins took over the school bus contract from Elton Poling. Elmer purchased two new buses in 1948 and two more in 1949. By 1954, Elmer Calkins had a fleet of nine buses. Elmer resided at 5121 – 50th Street and built two bus barns there.
Roy Klopstra and Peter Attema, partners in the dray business in Bentley --and their partnership was extended to driving the Bentley-Sunset Hill school bus run. The system at that time required two older students to act as "bus patrol leaders on the run". Both students would take a quick count of noses, and decide, that with absentees, everyone was aboard. One student would position himself at the back of the bus and look after the patrolling duties. At each bus stop one of the patrolees jumped out and checked the traffic before a child or children were let off the bus.
Elmer Calkins ran the Bentley school buses for eighteen years. He sold the business to Webb Frizzell in 1965. Webb was the contractor for Bentley school buses, County of Lacombe, until 1971. At that time it was called ‘Hub Bus Lines’.
Willard Griffiths purchased the business in 1971 and became the contractor for the County of Lacombe in the Bentley area.
Willard’s wife, Ruth, was always there, keeping in touch with the drivers, first by CB and later by V.H.F. radio. This was especially important during snow storms. Road problems could be relayed to the county snow plough drivers. Willard had a great deal of respect for those snow plough drivers.
Ruth remembered interesting experiences which she related to us. One time when Martin Schneider was driving one of the school buses, a vehicle pulled right out in front of him. Thinking quickly, Martin steered the bus out of the way and avoided a serious accident. Martin received a letter of commendation from the bus supervisor of the County of Lacombe.
A couple of times a young child fell asleep on the bus and of course didn‘t get off at his or her bus stop. When the driver finished his route and returned to the bus barn the sleeping child would be discovered and then had to be driven home.
Because Willard drove a bus for many years, there were some students he drove to Bentley School from kindergarten to grade twelve.
By 1991, there was a fleet of eight buses. They carried about 250 students each day on eight routes, covering a distance of 684 miles. It was one of the safest, cleanest and friendliest private bus lines in Alberta.
In 1992 when Willard Griffiths retired the Wolf Creek School Division took over the operation of the buses for the Bentley school area and this continues today in 2010.
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