Kids Konnect Nov-Dec 2019

Owatonna, MN November/December 2019

K i ds konnect G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N

Salt Snowf lakes

e k i l A e Mor t n e r e f f i Than D STE AM + +

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S cience Techno l ogy E ngi ne e r i ng Ar ts M athe m ati cs

WINTEROR OUTDUON! F Volunteering with St. Mary’s School

DISTRICT NEWS & CALENDAR

m Superintendent Elstad

Message from Elstad Message fromSuperintendent Superintendent Elstad

nts and Students- Hello Parents and StudentsHello Parents and Students- Well, if not spring, at least spring break for g finally be coming to Southern Minnesota?

Could spring finally bealready coming to Southern Minnesota?

Well, not spring, at fl least spring break f Public Schools. ItCan has been a long winter, with a number of snow days forifour district, you believe we’ve been in school for three months?

Wow... timeplease ies when Owatonna Public Schools.

Itofhas been a long winter, withreminds a number oftosnow ourour district having fun! This time year isfor always a time that us take days a pause eview the districtyou’re updates section in this magazine an important message regarding thefor in busy lives and express our gratitude and thanks.

Thank you to our students who continue be sure to review the district updates section in this magazine for an important message regardi School CalendartoUpdate. remind us daily of our ‘why’. It is because of you, and for you, that gets us excited and 2018-2019 School Calendar Update.

motivated to do the work that we do every day in our schools. We hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving and Winter Break.

spring filled with time spent with family all have a wonderful spring break filled withand timefriends. spent with family and friends.

I hope youbreak all have a wonderful !

Go GoHuskies!

Huskies!

dent Jeff Elstad Public Schools

Superintendent Jeff Elstad Owatonna Public Schools

Superintendent Jeff Elstad Owatonna Public Schools

I’m Thankful for....

Are you ready for the big turkey day? Fill out the answers below and share with your family and friends. Ask them what their answers are.

This year I am thankful for

My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is

My favorite Thanksgiving food is

This year I am going to spend Thanksgiving at

2 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

K i ds konnect G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N

Volume 1, Issue 8 November/December 2019 PUBLISHER Steve Fisher

K i ds

konnect CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N Jessica Abrahams Shaylene Baumbach Ashlikay Castillo Brenda Donahe-Stevens MaryAnne Higgins Jean Krause Darla K. Lager Thomas Meagher, PhD Ann Sneiders, MD Mary Urch COVER/PAGE DESIGN Kate McGillen ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark Nelson ADVERTISING SALES Amber Casterton Debbie Ensley Crystal Hobart CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Tezary Zernechel For editorial or advertising inquiries, contact us at 507-444-2389

Contents More alike than different

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Word on the 10. street 13.

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S cience Technology Engineer ing Ar ts M athematics

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Winter Outdoor fun

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Crafts�, coloring and more!

Kids Konnect is published by

Southern Minnesota LLC Southern Minn Media 135 West Pearl Street Owatonna, MN 55060

S TE A M

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 3

More Alike Than Different

This past August, the staff of Owatonna Public Schools had a surprise guest attend the welcome back all-staff meeting. That special guest was Owatonna High School Alumni, Abby Donahe. Superintendent Jeff Elstad welcomed Abby to the stage with a roar of cheers from the crowd as Abby shared with staff one important message, she is more alike than different.

Abby as a bab

y

When Abby was born, her parents learned she had Down Syndrome. Down syndrome is something you are born with and is not contagious or something that another person can catch.

Shortly after Abby was born, her Mom, Brenda Donahe-Stevens contacted the Owatonna School District to set up services. Abby’s journey with Owatonna Pubilc Schools began when she was just three weeks old. It was at this time that Superintendent Elstad and Abby first met. At that time, Superintendent Elstad was a Speech Therapist for the Owatonna Public Schools, and he remembers going to Abby’s home 19 years ago and playing with Abby on the floor during their sessions. Abby worked hard (even as a baby) to help her increase her muscle tone and cognitive disability.

Cognitive Disability Cognitive Disability is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills. Children with cognitive disabilities may take longer to learn to speak, walk and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating. They will learn, but it will take them longer. Source: https://www.ocecd.org/ CognitiveDisabilityResources.aspx Abby’s first time on a school bus was when she was three years old. She loved riding the school bus to preschool. Abby went to Roosevelt School where she attended class with other friends who had disabilities.

4 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

chool friends.

me of her pres

d so Here is Abby an

She started Kindergarten at age 5 just like everyone else. Abby attended McKinley Elementary School and loved all of the school activities, especially the spring and holiday music concerts!

But one of her favorite memories might be the Teddy Bear Parade!

Abby also loved Track and Field days and got so excited when everyone cheered her on.

Abby always had a one-on-one para assigned to her, but as she got older, she was able to do more and more on her own. This picture is with her para, Mrs. Shelley Thom. Recently, Abby wrote Mrs. Thom a letter of recommendation for the 2019 Minnesota Education Support Professional of the Year. Mrs. Thom is one of five finalists for the award and Abby is so excited for her!

Abby o

s hool bu n the sc

The holiday

d Abby

Mrs. Shelly Thom an

musical conce

rt

y bear parade!

It’s time for the tedd

Abby loved to be with her classmates for regular classroom activities and subjects. She especially loved the holiday parties and the end of the school year parties. Her teachers at McKinley were amazing and she learned so much from all of them!

Abby also attended SAC before and after school and during the summers. This gave her a chance to be with all other students and continue to work on her independence and social skills. She had a blast at SAC!

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 5

When Abby was in Middle School, she was pulled out for reading and math, but got to be with her classmates for science, social studies, choir, PE, art and lunch. In 7th grade she tried out for Student Council and became a member and she attended all of the dances.

When she got into 9th grade she was in the special ed room a lot. She really missed all of her friends and being with all of her classmates so before 10th grade, her Mom and Dad met with the school principal and her special ed teacher and together they developed a plan to get Abby into more regular ed classes. She took Foods 1 and 2, Intro to Art, Greenhouse, PE Classes like weightlifting and team sports, Health and Theatre.

Just like all of her friends, Abby graduated from Owatonna High School in 2017.

Abby’s journey throughout her time here at Owatonna Public Schools may sound just like yours and people you know. Abby is on a mission to teach people that we are all more alike than different.

Abby attended the homecoming dance for three years and went to prom two years with her boyfriend, Sam. While in high school, Abby was also a member of Students Helping Others Choose (SHOC) which promotes safe and drug-free activities. She was also very active in Link Crew and also was a member of the Adaptive Floor Hockey team. Abby lettered in both SHOC and Floor Hockey. below, write down your answers and compare your answers to Abby’s.

More Alike In the space Think about all the ways you are more alike than different from Abby.

Than Different You

Favorite thing about school Favorite hobby or activity Favorite place to shop Favorite thing to eat Favorite vacation spot

6 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

Abby

Hanging out with friends Bowling, Swimming and Dancing TJ Maxx, Target and Maurices Chicken Strips, Cheeseburger and Fries Florida and up north

Q&A with Abby Donahe

What advice would you give to our differently-abled elementary students who attend Owatonna Public Schools?

If you are a student who has a disability, don’t be afraid to try new things like music, sports or dance. It will give you a chance to meet new friends and you will also have fun. You can do it!

What advice would you give to all students who attend Owatonna Public Schools?

Every student at school is unique. Some of disabilities and others don’t, but everyone wants friends and wants to be included.

Is there anything you wish you would of known as an elementary student that you now know today?

I wish disabilities were talked about more in regular ed class at all grade levels so that everyone would get a chance to understand them better.

What is Down Syndrome?

To understand why Down syndrome happens, you need to understand a little about chromosomes. What are chromosomes? They’re thread-like structures within each cell and are made up of genes. Genes provide the information that determines everything about people, from hair color to whether they are girls or boys.

Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. But a baby with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) or one chromosome has an extra part. This extra genetic material causes problems with the way their bodies develop. We get our chromosomes from our mother and father. Half of your chromosomes are from your mom and half are from your dad.

But doctors aren’t sure why this chromosome problem happens to some babies. It’s nothing the mom or dad did before the child was born.

Anyone can have a baby with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is not contagious, so you can’t catch it from someone else. You are born with it. No one gets Down syndrome later in life. It’s one of the most common genetic birth defects (a birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is still growing inside his or her mother).

Down syndrome is something a person will have all of his or her life. But scientists continue to do research in the hope of finding ways to prevent Down syndrome or at least improve the health and lives of people who have it.

Source: Kids Health https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/down-syndrome.html

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 7

raising huskies

BY Brenda Donahe-Stevens

Disability. Special Ed. Para. Your children have most likely heard one or more of these words while being in school. But what exactly do these words mean?

Special Education helps students that have learning difficulties, emotional or behavioral problems or physical disabilities and the student may need a para during the school day to make sure they are safe and to help them when needed.

My daughter Abby, who is on the front cover of this magazine, has a disability. She was diagnosed with Down syndrome the day she was born. Down syndrome is a cognitive disability which means it takes her longer to learn things. It is not a disease or something that others can catch from her. It is just an extra thing that makes Abby who she is.

Ever since Abby was born 20 years ago, I was worried she wouldn’t have friends or be included in the things that other kids were involved in. As a mother of a child with a disability, I did everything possible to make sure Abby had the ability and opportunity to participate, and with many hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy; help from her teachers; determination; and a lot of advocating, Abby proved she could do what other kids did. She was included in her regular ed classes, learned to read and write, participated in the classroom activities, played with friends on the playground, had birthday parties, and played Park & 8 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

Rec sports…just like her peers. It not only meant the world for Abby to be included but it enriched the lives of the children who befriended her.

Being Abby’s Mom has taught me a lot about living a life with a disability. The biggest reason people are unaccepting of others that are different from them is because of the unknown. Why do they talk, act or look different? For that reason, I wish we all talked more with our children and students about disabilities.

Give them the chance to ask questions and explain to them how they can be a friend or helper to those with varying abilities. We are all unique in our own way, but we all have strengths and deserve the chance to make a difference in the world.

Today, Abby loves to dance, sing, listen to music, swim at the pool, ride horse, ride bike, bowl, hang out with friends, watch TV, go shopping at Target and play games. She also attends an 18-21 school program and has a job at Fareway. Abby has many things in common with her friends and family and although she has Down syndrome, she is way MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT. Some great resources to help in talking with your children about disabilities would be: www.cdc.gov/ ncbddd/Kids/index.html or penfieldbuildingblocks.org/ how-to/teaching-children-about-special-needs-anddisabilities/ or books such as Friends with Disabilities

by Amanda Doering Tourville; My Friend Isabelle by Eliza Woloson; Don’t Call Me Special by Pat Thomas; or Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis.

If you are just beginning this journey as a parent of a child with special needs, call the Special Services Department at Owatonna Public Schools (507) 4448614 to aid in setting up services for your child.

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Word on the street

We asked kids all over Owatonna, ‘What is your favorite thing to do in the winter?’ and here is how they responded:

licky ity e Ska n Jeromsevelt Commu o o R , n K tio Pre Educa ” angels w o n s e k a “M

Daphne,

2nd grade, St

. Mary’s Scho

“I love sledd ing and drinking hot chocolate afte r!”

Lillian

5th grade, St. Mary’ s School

ra ntary Eleme

First G

y dog atch m ow.” w o t n “I like n the s jump i o t y r t

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kating

“Ice S

Mahir A

bdullah de, Wils i “I like to on Elementary pla snow m y on the ountain .”

2nd gra

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drey Keightyn Wan hington 4th Grade, Was Elementary

“Ice Fishing”

kost Haver ington e c y r h B , Was

“Bundling up, drin king hot cocoa, and mak ing igloos and snow people”

ardo n n Bay Fabia de, Washingto

ol

Aimee

Fernan dezGuerra

Kinderg arten, W ilson Elemen tary

“I love p laying in the s now.”

Capriza Fortientary on Elem

5th grade, Wils

“I like watching ies with Christmas mov hot cocoa!”

Victoria Cay wood First Grade, W ashington Elementary

“I like to go do wn a slide into a big snow pile.”

Anson

s School 1st grade, St. Mary’

d “I love the snow an d an es stl ca making snowmen”

Evan J ohnso

n de, Was hington Elemen tary

4th Gra

“Play in

the Sno

w”

Olivia Louks

ton

First Grade, Washing Elementary

.”

“I like to go sledding

winter bucket list Go Ice Skating Build A Snowman Go To A Movie Bake Cookies Build A Fort Wear Slippers All Day Go On A Winter Walk Make Paper Snowflakes Try A New Restaurant Snuggle Up With A Book Pajama Day Go To A Museum Drink Hot Cocoa Soup Night Camp Out In The Family Room Go Bowling Make A Bird Feeder Do A New Puzzle Family Movie Night Drink Hot Cider Sleep In Play A Board Game Sled Down A Hill Ring In The New Year

Take A Family Photo Craft A Homemade Ornament Go Ice Fishing Make Snow Angels Go To A Hockey Game Host A Football Party Donate Old Towels And Blankets To The Animal Shelter Collect Pine Cones

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 11

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n whole wheat n baked tortilla chips bread, pita, bagel, or wrap n popcorn

n granola bar n brown rice

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n beans n hummus or bean dip

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applesauce raisins, aapricots pplesauce or apples pples n berries

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w-fat or n string cheese n low-fa w-fa skim milk n low-fat yogurt

n un-processed n low-fat cheese cottage cheese

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S cienceTechnology Technology Engineering Engineer ing ArArts t s M athematic s Science Mathematics

STEAM’in WITH “Dr. M” Winter in Minnesota, a wonderful time of year! , PhD (known to Thomas Meagher e ts as “Dr. M”) is th Owatonna studen na on at r for the Ow STEAM Coordinato rict. ho Public Sc ol Dist

Winter is headed our way. This year, have some STEAM fun with your friends and family and check out these projects you can do.

Share your STEAM photos with Dr. M through his twitter handle @meagher3dan.

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SCIENCE

? r e t in w g in r u d a t o s e n in M o t s n e p p a h t a h W ? e ic e h t r e d n u e v li How can fish S cien ce Te c h n o l o gy En gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M ath e m ati c s

There are lots of ways to say it’s winter here in Minnesota. There is the “calendar” or meteorological winter which is measured as December 1st to February 28th. The three coldest months for North America. There is also astronomical winter, which runs from the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year usually December 21st, to the Spring Equinox, when there is an equal number of hours of daylight and nighttime, usually March 21st.

But for all of us who call Minnesota home, we like to think it’s winter as soon as the lakes freeze over and snow stays on the ground. This can last anywhere from November until May, sometimes for five months!

We are blessed with four seasons here in Minnesota, it would just be nice if winter would last an equal amount of time as the other three seasons.

Since winter causes the lakes to be covered by ice, how can plants and animals that live there survive

under the ice for so many months?

There is some amazing science that helps us understand how animals such as fish, frogs and turtles can live in water covered by ice and snow for so many months.

32oF, sometimes 33-34oF but the air temperature above the ice can be as cold as -30oF. This means it’s over 60 degrees warmer under the ice than above, and the fish are warmer below than we are above!

The wonderful thing about ice and snow is how they can act as insulation and keep the frigid cold temperatures of January out of the warm lake water below. For example, water freezes at 32oF, so once the lake is frozen over the water below the ice is warmer than

However, even though the water is warmer below, fish still need oxygen in order to survive because the ice prevent the lake from getting new oxygen from the air and the snow blocks out sunlight and plants stop growing or producing oxygen.

So, fish can only survive as long

14 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

as there’s oxygen in the water and fishi in small shallow lakes can be in danger of running out of oxygen if we have a long, cold and snowy winter.

The fish in large, deep lakes have a better chance of surviving Minnesota’s long winters because the fish have plenty of food and oxygen to live. If you like to fish during winter it’s

best to fish early during when the lakes have plenty of oxygen. But ice can be dangerous and it’s important to only venture out on the lakes when the ice is thick enough to support the weight of you or the vehicle you are in.

Here’s a safety chart that shows how thick the ice should be in order to be safe for going onto the lake:

Activity Minimum Ice thickness Walking: 4 inches or more Snowmobiles 5-7 inches Small car 8-10 inches Large car/small truck 12 inches or more Large truck 15 inches or more

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 15

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TECHNOLOGY

S cien ce Te c h n o l o gy En gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M ath e m ati c s

What happens under the ice using sonar and video cameras to see the activity of fish?

In the old days when people would go ice fishing they would chip a hole in the ice, drop a hook and line with some bait and wait for a fish to show up. Native Americans would cut large holes in the ice, cover themselves with blankets, then spear fish that would come close to decoys they made.

The best way to find fish and catch them meant you needed to know where the fish were before the lake froze over. Otherwise you needed to ask other people if they knew where fish were and hope they were telling the truth!

But times have changed and technology to see what’s happening under the ice gets more accurate every year. Two technologies that can show what’s under the ice can use either sound or light to show you if fish are underneath you in the water.

Sonar, uses high frequency sound waves and echolocation to find fish under the water. The find finder shoots sounds waves into the water and records the echoes as lines on a screen.

Thick lines show how deep the water is and thin lines are the fish swimming in the water. When you drop your line down with a jig or bait, another line appears on the screen. You can watch as the

two lines comes together and get ready to set the hook because the lines show a fish is trying to bite your line!

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16 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

Sonar fish finders like, Vexilar®, Hummingbird® and Eagle® have been around for many years and they are so accurate that you can see the fish and your jig meeting together before you even feel the bite.

The most exciting way of ice fishing uses video cameras to watch fish under the water and see when they are interested in your presentation. This can be very helpful to see how to move your line to attract fish and trick them into biting. Your skills as a fish bait puppeteer will greatly improve when you watch how fish react on the video screen.

Underwater cameras use multiple wave lengths of light to record fish activity even in dark or cloudy water. Many new cameras can record video in color as well as black and white.

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 17

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ENGINEERING

S cien ce Te c h n o l o gy En gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M ath e m ati c s

creating clothes to survive outside What do we need to wear to stay warm and dry while outside during winter? This is a question people have been trying to answer for generations. Engineers look at the problem of heat loss, especially loss of body heat and they’ve designed different kinds clothing that use materials that insulate your body. Insulators prevent heat from moving through the fabric, so your body heat stays inside the clothes and doesn’t leak out into the cold winter air.

We can lose body heat 4 different ways: through, convection, conduction and radiation, evaporation. Engineers try to create clothing that prevents heat from escaping through these four areas. So let’s explore heat loss solutions to help you stay warm this winter!

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Cold wind can capture heat from your body and sweep it away into the air. So it’s important to wear clothes that prevent the wind from contacting your skin. You need to wear things that cover your head, body, arms, hands, legs and feet.

Nylon and polyester are fabrics made from very thin fibers that stop wind from contacting your skin. We call them “windbreakers” since the wind hits the material and bounces right off, instead of passing through like with cotton or wool.

This prevents you losing heat through convection.

To prevent heat loss from either conduction, when you’re playing in the cold snow, or radiation you need clothes that insulate your body and won’t let heat move from inside you to anywhere outside. The best clothes have polyester fiber, wool, or feather down, these materials keep the heat inside you and won’t let it escape.

Lastly, you need to stay dry, water is really good at absorbing body heat, so if you get wet from melting snow or water, or if you sweat, you will lose heat

from inside your body. Engineers designed winter clothes to have multiple layers, the outside to keep the wind off your skin, the middle layers to insulate your body heat and the inside layer to keep you dry!

Let’s check your winter clothes and see what they’re made of. Use the diagram below to write down what each piece of clothing is made of and see if you’re ready to stay warm during this winter!

Ask a grown up to help you find the label inside your clothes and record the materials here.

Hat: Scarf: Jacket: Snow Pants: Boots:

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 19

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Ice & snow sculpture First things, first, when water freezes it becomes a solid we call Ice or as a powder we call snow. So if water is solid during winter, we can now use our creativity to make all kinds of sculptures and the only limit is our imagination!

There’s different ways to make sculptures, let’s begin first with snow. In order to work with snow it must be “sticky”, this means that the amount of water in snow needs to be high enough and the temperatures warm enough for individual snowflakes to melt into clumps. The ideal temperature is between 25oF-30oF. The author Bob Eckstein, in his book The

History of the Snowman, wrote, “If you’re making a snowman you’re probably participating in one of the first forms of folk-art known and maybe one of the very few activities we share with our ancestors,” Engineers have written that the ideal and most sturdy shape of an upright snowman is a 1ft head,

20 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

2ft chest and 3ft body. But what is you want to stand your snowman on his head? What do you think the best dimensions of each of the snow boulders should be? What if we have the snowman become a snow caterpillar? What would the body look like? What other shapes could you make out of snow?

Making sculptures out of ice can be a lot of fun too, but you will need to make some ice before you can shape it. Try filling water balloons of different shapes and then letting them freeze outside.

Some will be round, others will

be long and some can be pear shaped. You can also freeze water in all different kids of plastic containers like cups, bowls or pop bottles. Try adding food coloring to the water before you freeze them, or try adding it afterwards

to see all the different shapes and colors you can create! You can use a water sprayer filled with different colored water to create things like snow fires!

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 21

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MATHEMATICS

S cien ce Te c h n o l o gy En gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M ath e m ati c s

The geometry of

snowflakes Did you ever hear that no two snowflakes are the same? Well as far as we can tell there has never been two Identical snowflakes ever been found. And people have been searching for hundreds of years beginning as early as 1555, Olaus Magnus was the first to draw pictures of snowflakes and described that each one was uniques. But is was Renae Descartes, a French scientist studying weather, who made drawings and described how the basic shapes of all snowflakes follow a hexagon pattern, they are crystal with six sides.

But is was American Wilson Bentley who made the first ever photographs of snowflakes in 1885. He was given a microscope as a teenager and he loved making observations of microscopic things. When he grew older he bought a camera and he invented the first microphotographs, by putting his camera together with his microscope! His pictures showed the fine details that make every snowflake different from every other one falling. He made over 5,000 photographs of snowflakes during a period of 40 years, from 1884-1925. His photographs are still used today to identify the unique characteristics of each kind of snowflake.

10 years later in 1935 Ukichiro Nakaya of Japan was the first person to use a microscope and a movie camera to record how snowflakes grow from an ice crystal he suspended on a single thread of silk.

22 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

When we observe snowflakes, you are seeing the power of Geometry in action.

Geometry is the mathematical study of shapes and the relationship of angles and lines.

Modern photographs of snowflakes show even more detail, can you see the hexagon shape? The snowflake itself is made of small crystal shapes linked together. What other shapes do you see in this snowflake? What do you notice about how snowflakes are shaped?

If you look carefully you will notice that snowflakes have many kinds of shapes of ice crystals fitted together. You can see triangles, trapezoids, hexagons, rhombuses, parallelograms and circles.

Let’s see if we can use geometry to build paper models of snowflakes. Make 6 photocopies of the different geometrical shapes from this page, cut out the shapes you want to use to create a snowflake, and fit them together into a snowflake on black or blue construction paper. Once you have them into the shape of your own unique snowflake, glue them on to the paper, then take a picture and send the digital image to Dr. M at tmeagher@isd761.org.

We’ll publish the best snowflakes in the next issue of Kids Konnect.

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 23

COLD IS ONLY FUN WHEN IT’S OUTSIDE!

Keep your home warm this winter (and help your parents save some money on the utility bill) by using these energy saving tips!



Weather-proof your Windows: Help an adult put plastic sheeting on windows to block cold drafts.



Cozy Comfort: Lower your thermostat 5-10 degrees and build forts, use blankets, cuddle up for family time, and put on extra clothes to keep warm.



Let the Sun Shine In: Open the curtains during the day to allow the sun’s energy to naturally warm your home. Just make sure to close the curtains at night to help insulate the windows.



Draft Snakes: Use old socks to make awesome draft snakes that you can place in front of doors and windows to ssssss-save energy!



Light Up the Holidays: Use LED lights for holiday decorations.

They are 75% more efficient and last up to 25 times longer.

Have Fun Staying Warm!

www.OwatonnaUtilities.com 24 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

y z z I Ask

My name is Izzy and I’m here to answer questions you might not want to ask your teacher, friends or parents. Sometimes only another kid will understand! I’m a lot like you – I go to school, play in the band and I LOVE sports! I have a younger sister and a puppy and I love to do crafts when my schoolwork is finished. My favorite thing to do is help people and try to spread kindness, so that’s why I think I’m a good person for you to ask questions. You can send me anything – school problems, friends, parents – and I promise I’ll do my best to give you a good answer. You can ask a question any time, and I will answer in an upcoming Kids Konnect magazine.

Dear Izzy: I have been having problems with one of my friends. She is starting to act differently when she is around some people and acting in ways that are starting to hurt my feelings. What should I do?

Dear Reader: Remember that great friends should never have you feel sad or upset for very long. It is normal to maybe feel annoyed or upset with others for a little bit, since we may be having a bad day, but if it continues that is when you want to really stop and think. How does this friend make me feel most of the time? Did she have a bad day, or maybe dealing with something hard at school or at home? Sometimes we might not know what’s going on and that’s okay too. First, see if you can talk to your friend to see if something may be bothering him/her that they want to talk about. Don’t feel bad if they don’t want to talk about it. Sometimes them just knowing you care is enough.

If the friend continues to hurt your feelings and talking to them hasn’t helped, try to just give them a little space for a little bit.

Maybe go play with another friend at recess, or include others to sit next to you at lunch. If you are still looking for ideas or need someone to talk to you, a parent and also your teacher are great people to turn to.

Dear Izzy: With the holidays coming, I want to do something for my parents, but I don’t have any money and I don’t know what to do? I need some ideas.

Dear Reader: deas of fun gifts to give friends and family: • Art project from school (coloring, painting, etc.)

• Write them a letter of why they are the best ____ (i.e. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Sister, Brother, Friend, etc.).

• Make your own coupon book filled with things you’ll do to help… that you don’t already do. (Some examples could be: Fold the laundry, Walk the Dog, Shovel the sidewalk, Pick up the mail, etc.)

There are so many things you can do that will not cost you one penny. Have fun coming up with ideas.

s t o h S u l F

Fall is here, which means winter and influenza season are right around the corner! Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If the thought of getting a shot leaves you shaking in your boots, you are not alone. But we all need shots now and then because the medicine in the shot keeps us healthy. There are ways to make shots less Dr. Ann painful, though. Here Sneiders are some tricks to try.

1. Get distracted! Bring your music and headphones and put on your favorite tune while getting your shot. Turn it up loud – just this once!!

2. Ask for the freezing spray!

Most clinics have a spray that will numb your arm just a little bit – long enough for the nurse to give the shot and for you to say “It’s already over?!”

3. Deep breaths – take a deep breath and blow it out as the nurse gives the shot.

6. Recite a poem or sing a song.

Pick your favorite and belt it out – your nurse will love it!

4. Watch a video or play a game on mom or dad’s phone or ipad.

You will want to ask your parent ahead of time for this one and get the game/video ready.

7. Don’t get shots on an empty stomach! Always have something to eat and drink before your shot – you will feel much better and be less anxious.

5. Get a hug from mom or dad – hugs are always a good distraction and they feel great, too.

When the time comes, remember to relax your arm and to sit still. It will be over before you know it!

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 25

WINTER OUTDOOR FUN! Do you enjoy outdoor activities in the winter? Have you ever wondered where ice skating, snow skiing and snowboarding originated? Let’s find out and consider trying a new activity during this winter.

More than 4,000 years ago in southern Finland ice skates were used. Modern ice skates have stayed much the same from the early days.

Many other European countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Netherlands developed skating clubs where it was proper for all classes of people to skate in recreational settngs. Different styles of skates exist today but all skates have a steel blade attached to a boot. Figure skates feature a pick to allow the skater to jump; hockey skates differ as they have no pick and the boot sits closer to the ice for a lower center of gravity; speed skates have the longest blade allowing for more speed. The skate blade has two sharpened edges that contact and cut into the ice.

Skiing began in Scandinavia as a means of transportation and hunting during winter months.

Over time, the military had uses for skis especially during WWII. After the 1940s ski lifts and equipment have evolved creating release bindings and a narrowing of the ski. Early skis were made from wood such as birch, ash, or hickory; bindings were leather straps buckled to secure the ski. Today skis are made by sandwiching aluminum alloy with steel edges. The ski boot has also changed since the 1940s from rubber, to leather, to molded plastic creating support for the ankle and lower leg which allows skis to carve.

Snowboards are relatively new to winter fun; Muskegon, Michigan is where they were created in 1965. Many snowboarders consider the sport to be a versatile activity as it can be done in an area park or a ski area. The board is maneuvered down a hill creating turns; some accomplished snowboarders enjoy going off bumps, moguls, or summersaulting in the air.

Now you know the history of where these winter sports originated go outdoors in Owatonna and have some outside fun! You can skate at Morehouse Park on the river or the skating ponds free of charge.

Cross Country skiing

26 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

1926-1927 Owatonna St. Ma

ry’s School hockey team

can be done in Owatonna Parks, Kaplan Woods trail system, and Rice Lake State Park. Snowboarding is another activity where you can take your snowboard and practice on the small hills around Owatonna such as at West Hills or the County Club. If you choose to downhill ski, you’ll need to go to a ski area around the area of Mankato, Hastings, or the Twin Cities.

Snowboarding

Dec. 6th & 7th FREE ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY:

• Crafts • Lefse making and tasting on Saturday • Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus • Horse-drawn wagon rides • Cookie decorating FRI: 4:30 TO 8 PM | SAT: 10 AM TO 2 PM HISTORY CENTER 1700 Austin Rd VILLAGE OF YESTERYEAR 1448 Austin Rd

Soup & Chili Supper: Fri: 4:30- 6:30 pm $8 per person, children’s hotdog meal: $4 Tickets available at SCHS & online: steelehistorymuseum.org steelehistorymuseum.org

Winter Food Fun Sarah has been working for Owatonna Public Schools for one year and has recently accepted the Interim Director of Nutrition Services position. Her favorite thing to do in the winter is bake holiday treats with her family. Her favorite hobbies and activities include cooking, hiking and going to concerts.

Written by: Sarah Brooks, MPH, RD Interim Director of Nutrition Services for Owatonna Public Schools

Who says you shouldn’t play with your food! With a couple of ingredients and a few supplies you can make your snack into a healthy edible snowman scene.

Supplies knife for spreading cutting board snowman cookie cutter small snowflake cookie cutter plate (solid color works best)

Ingredients 2 slices whole-grain bread peanut butter or nut-free butter such as sunflower seed butter 1 banana Handful of raisins 5-6 pretzel sticks 2 slices low-fat cheese your favorite green veggie ½ cup air-popped popcorn or light-colored cereal

Directions 1) Make a peanut butter or nut-free butter and banana sandwich. Then, cut out a snowman from the center.

2) Cut snowflakes from the cheese slices.

(Tip: Don’t have a snowflake cookie cutter? Use a plain circle and create snowballs instead!)

3) Now let’s create the scene! Move your snowman to the plate and give him a face, hat, buttons, and arms. If it’s cold outside, he may need a scarf too.

4) Add a background by covering the ground in “snow” and planting “trees.”

5) Let it snow! Add cheese snowflakes or snowballs to complete the scene on your plate.

6) Have fun and make it your own. Try orange or yellow low-fat cheese to add stars or a sun to the sky. Plant extra trees, build a house, or make a snowman family!

7) Enjoy your winter wonderland snack!

If you are looking for more healthy recipes to make with the family, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Recipe & Activity Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Sasha Bard, MS, RD https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2014/12/16/winter-food-fun-kids-all-ages

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What’s for Dinner?

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Salt Snowf lakes By: Amanda Gislason, Art Teacher at McKinley Elementary School

Mrs. Gislason has been teaching art at Owatonna Public Schools for the past 15 years. Her favorite thing about teaching is that she gets to make art everyday with kids. When she isn’t teaching at McKinley she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, reading and quilting. If you are looking for some additional winter art crafts to do at home, check out this website: https://www.happinessishomemade.net/easy-winter-kids-crafts-that-anyone-can-make/

Materials needed:

Paper or a print out of snowflake designs Pencil Glue Salt Watercolor set with paintbrush

Step 2: Draw with glue on top of snowflake lines.

Step 1: Print out or draw simple snowflake designs on paper.

30 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

Step 4: Let your salt snowflake dry.

St Add w ep 5: a top b tercolor on y just barely touch i with t ng the salt he watch brush and t sprea he paint d thro the sa ugh lt!

Step 3: Sprinkle salt on glue lines and shake of excess immediately.

Step 6: r Admire you ! rk wo

Serving Owatonna with Life-Long Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 605 Hillcrest Ave. Ste 230, Owatonna (507) 451-7250 www.hollandfamilydental.com Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 31

© 2019 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Special Edition

Who bought AnEditor ice cream cone costsSpecial $1.50. © 2019what?

by Vicki Whiting, Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Edition A comic book is $1.65. A deck of cards is $1.10. Count each person’s money to see what they bought.

Deb

Vanessa

Who bought what? An ice cr

Find four items newspaper A comic bookinisthe$1.65.

A deck of card that cost less than $5.00. person’s money to see what they boug Complete the charts below to show the cash you would use to pay for each item.

Theresa

Deb

Vanessa

Item: Price: To pay for it, I would use: # of dollar bills: # of pennies: # of nickels: # of dimes: # of quarters: Item: Price:

Find the words in the puzzle, THRIFTY then in this week’s Kid Scoop Look at the things Jodi would like to buy for her stories and activities.

SPARKLY family. She has $50 budgeted for her holiday

k at the things Jodi would like to buy for her mily. She has $50 budgeted for her holiday opping. Make a list of the things she could buy on her budget.

SMART shopping.

Make a list of the things she could T S Y E N O M M A S buyBUDGET on her budget.

HOLIDAY SAVE $1 5 $2 0 PARTY $15 COMIC SALE MONEY $1SPEND 0 $12 GIFTS $10 COUNT TIME PLAN

$15 $20 $15

$10 $12 $10

What e more

How much money have left over eachdoes Thrifty month?

THINK ABOUT could Thrifty do to IT: What money each month save more ?

Thrifty and Fritter are planning a holiday bash for family and friends. They have budgeted $500 for the party!

They will need food, decorations and gifts.

These are called goods.

They also need entertainment and perhaps folks to help set up and clean up. These are called services.

Look through today’s newspaper and help Thrifty and Fritter find what they need. Stay within their $500 budget!

GOODS:

SERVICES:

R E T A S D N E P S S H G T D S M A R T O P F D A I R P E R C I F V U K L S U Y G I E E L B S O T E A B M Y T F I R H T U I D O E L A S G E T N U O C P L A N T Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognizing identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

To pay for it, I would use: Find the wor

THRIFTY then in this w # of dollar bills: stories an SPARKLY # of pennies: SMART # of nickels: T S Y E N BUDGET # of dimes: R E T A S HOLIDAY # of quarters: SAVE S H G T D Item: PARTY O P F D A COMIC Price: C I F V U ToSALE pay for it, I would use: G I E E L MONEY # of dollar bills: A B M Y T SPEND # of pennies: GIFTS # of nickels: U I D O E # of dimes: COUNT T N U O C # of quarters: TIME PLAN Standards Link: Letter se Item:

words. Skim and scan rea

Price:

Thrifty and Fritter are planning a holiday bash for family and friends. They have budgeted $500 for the party!

Find five new items for sale in the newspaper.

Theyand will their need food, decorations and gifts.

Chart the items prices.

Can you find These are called goods. similar used items for sale? What is the also What need entertainment and perhaps difference inThey price? are the advantages folks toofhelp set up new and clean up. These and disadvantages buying versus used? are called services.

To pay for it, I would use:

# of dollar bills: # of pennies: Find five new items for sale i # of nickels: Chart the items and their pric # of dimes: similar used items for sale? # of quarters:

difference in price? What ar and disadvantages of buying

Look through today’s newspaper and help Thrifty and Fritter find what they need. Stay within their $500 budget!

GOODS:

SERVICES:

This week’s word:

BUDGET The noun budget means a plan for how much money will be spent and earned during a certain time period.

How many silly things can you find at Thrifty and Fritter’s holiday party?

Write about a special memory of a holiday in your life. Be sure to tell who, what, when, where, how and why.

Lisa stuck carefully to her budget and saved enough money for a new bike.

Write about a special mem intoyour Be sure to te Try use the life. word budget in a sentence today where, when when, how a talking with your friends and family members.

32 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

© 2019 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Special Edition

en Español

© 2019 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Special Edition

En el acertijo, encuentra estas palabras THRIFTY THRIFTY en inglés, luego encuentra la traducción SPARKLY de estas palabrasSPARKLY en la página espués…

2 segundos ¡Malgastador! ¡Malgastador!al español Malgastador, no ¡Yo¡Ahorrativo! ¡WAHOOO! ¡WAHOOO! ¡Yo Si túdespués… lo dices AhorraSi tú lo dices Ahorranos volveremos ¿Qué acabamos tivo… ¿Pero puedesvoy a comprar ¿Qué acabamos tivo… ¿Pero de Kid Scoop de hoy. nada voy a comprar ¡MIRA puedes SMART SMART locos durante hablar? ¡Chico, de hablar? ¡Chico, llevarlo tú? ¡Mis ESO y ÈSTO llevarlo tú? ¡Mis ESO y ÈSTO y másdetodas y las compras de tú necesitas un tú necesitas un esas luces y brazos están llenos! brazos están llenos!

AQUELLO y AQUELLO y este fin de año. decoraciones!

PRESUPUESTO! PRESUPUESTO! BUDGET BUDGET ESO también…

ESO también…

Tenemos que…

M A S T S Y E N O M HOLIDAY HOLIDAY R E T A S D N E P S SAVE SAVE A R T S H G T D S M PARTY PARTY P E R O P F D A I R COMIC COMIC

SALE C a Un presupuesto es un plan para MONEY o ayudarte a gastar sólo el monto G Mira las cosas que Jodi quisiera comprar para su Mira las cosas que Jodi quisiera comprar para su . de dinero que puedes costear.

SPEND familia. Ella tiene presupuestado gastar $50 en familia. Ella tiene presupuestado gastar $50 en compras navideñas. Arma una lista de cosas compras navideñas. Arma una lista de cosas A que ella podría comprar con ese presupuesto. que ella podría comprar con ese presupuesto.

GIFTS U COUNT Mensualidad $15 $15 Palear nieve T Hacer mandados pa $20 $20 TIME ra los duendes $1 los duendes $1 5 5 PLAN

e Reno

$10 $12 $10

aa

O: ¿qué es lo que podría hacer para s dinero por mes?

des hallar horrativo

Zanahorias Clases de vuelo Admisión a Juego s

de Reno

$10 $12 $10

¿Cuánto dinero le Thrifty cada mes? sobra a PIENSALO: ¿qué Ahorrativo podría es lo que hacer para ahorrar más dinero por mes?

SALE S U I F V U K L O T I E E L B SMONEY SPEND B M Y T F I R H GIFTS S G I D O E L A COUNT A N N U O C P L TIME PLAN

S

O

Y

C

E

G

T

A

E

U

T

T

¿Quién compró qué? Un

$1.50. Una revista de historietas cues $1.10.

Cuenta dinero de cada perso Palabra de laelsemana:

CRÍA

Deb

Vanessa

Theresa

Ellos van a necesitar comida, decoraciones y regalos. A esto se le conoce como bienes o mercadería.

Ellos van a necesitar comida, decoraciones y regalos. A esto se le conoce como bienes o mercadería.

También van a necesitar entretenimiento y posiblemente personal para trabajar en la preparación y limpieza del evento. A esto se le llama servicios.

También van a necesitar entretenimiento y posiblemente personal para trabajar en la preparación y limpieza del evento. A esto se le llama servicios.

Busca en el periódico de hoy las cosas que Ahorrativo y Malgastador pueden encontrar para hacer su fiesta. ¡Mantente dentro del presupuesto ($500)!

Busca en el periódico de hoy las cosas que Ahorrativo y Malgastador pueden encontrar para hacer su fiesta. ¡Mantente dentro del presupuesto ($500)!

¿Cuántas cosas ridículas puedes hallar en la fiesta de fin de año de Ahorrativo y Malgastador?

R

$1.50. Una revista de historietas cuesta $1.65. Un maso de naipes, $1.10. Cuenta el dinero de cada persona para ver qué compraron.

Ahorrativo y Malgastador están planeando una fiesta de fin de año para sus amigos y familiares. ¡Tienen un presupuesto de $500 para esta fiesta!

SERVICIOS:

T

¿Quién compró qué? Un barquillo de helado cuesta

Ahorrativo y Malgastador están planeando una fiesta de fin de año para sus amigos y familiares. ¡Tienen un presupuesto de $500 para esta fiesta!

MERCADERIA:

E en al

El sustantivo presupuesto significa un plan de gastos e Deb ingresos durante un cierto Vanes período de tiempo.

Lisa se ajustó a su presupuesto y ahorró lo suficiente para comprarse una bicicleta.

Intenta usar la palabra presupuesto mientras conversas el día de hoy con tus amigos(as) o parientes.

Flash de Noticias:

Memorias de un día feriado

Nuevo y Usado

Nuevo y Usado

Encuentra MERCADERIA: cinco productos nuevos que aparezcan SERVICIOS: en venta en el periódico. Crea un gráfico con los productos y sus precios. ¿Puedes hallar productos usados parecidos en venta? ¿Qué diferencias en precios existen? ¿Cuáles son las ventajas y desventajas de comprar nuevo y usado?

Encuentra cinco productos n Escribe acerca de un día en tu enferiado ventaespecial en el periódico.

Cre vida del quey tengas un productos sus precios. ¿Pu lindo recuerdo.

Asegúrausados parecidos en venta? ¿ te de decirnos quiénes, precios existen? ¿Cuáles son qué, cuándo, dónde, desventajas dequé. comprar nuev cómo y por

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 33

g n i r e e Volunt

tive citizens become produc to ts en ud st g in of service wer udents a variety believe in empo st e r w , ou r ol fe ho of Sc s to y’ e have is is At St. Mar which we live. W e ways we do th in th ld of or ne w O d an s. y er ct on unit and future lead g, positive impa ce in the comm in en st er la ff a di s a ha e ly ak m tivities not on inckle once opportunities to ay! As Gordon H ents in service ac w ud g st bi a ng in gi f ga af en st rved.” and found that or she who is se r own students he ou an s th fit e ne or be m s so society…it al t always benefit ho serves almos w e sh or e “H said

Community service or volunteerism enables people of all ages to acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as provide a service to those who need it most. Here’s a dozen reasons why performing acts of service is beneficial to people of all ages: 1. Provides a sense of purpose 2. Connects you to others 3. Reduces stress and combats depression 4. Brings fun and fulfillment to your life 5. Keeps you mentally stimulated 6. Connects learning with real world issues 7. Increases social awareness and responsibility 8. Develops self-confidence 9. Enhances personal knowledge & growth from new experiences 10. Develops lifelong interpersonal communication skills 11. Helps people discover their passions and interests 12. Engages critical concepts and feelings of empathy, giving, collaboration & trustworthiness

34 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

Throughout the school year our students participate in a variety of service opportunities.

This past October, we had a school-wide service day. It was a fun-filled, empowering day where our students become active members of our community. Here’s a summary of what our grades did:

• Pre-School: made banners for the Firefighters, Police, and Post Office and cleaned up around the school • Kindergarten Readiness, Kindergarten, & 1st Grade: Delivered the banners and treat bags to Firefighters, Police, and Post Office, and to some of the downtown businesses • 2nd grade: visited Koda Assisted Living Facility, spending quality time with residents • 3rd grade: Cleaned up the Fairgrounds • 4th & 5th grade: Cleaned Manthey, Morehouse, & Brown Parks • 6th & 7th grade: Cleaned Dartts, Mineral Springs, & JC parks • 8th grade: Stenciled for the City of Owatonna, as part of their Storm Sewer Stenciling Program

At St. Mary’s, service allows us to practice our core values of Love, Learn, Lead, Give and Pray. We are proud to follow Mother Teresa’s advice of “Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.”

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 35

#owatonnaproud

Students learning from author Daniel Bernstrom.

Wilson 5th grade field trip to Base Camp in St. Paul.

McKinley Scavenger Hunt 36 • November/December 2019 • Kids Konnect

Middle School theatre elective class performing picture books for Washington elementary students.

Parent Reminders NO SCHOOL

November 15 only for Grades K-5 November 27-29 Thanksgiving Break December 23-January 1 Winter Break January 17 Teacher Work Day January 20 MLK Day/Staff Development

Online Kindergarten Registration All registrations for school enrollments to Owatonna Public Schools must be completed online. The registration form is translated into English, Somali and Spanish.

Register online January 1-February 15, 2020.

Go to www.owatonna.k12.mn.us

Inclement Weather and School Closings When decisions are made to alter the school day or cancel it due to inclement weather, every effort is made to communicate that decision to parents in a timely manner through Infinite Campus, the website and local radio and TV stations.

To help us contact households efficiently, be sure to have updated home, work and/or cell phone information entered into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. This will ensure that you automatically receive information about weather-related school closures in a timely manner.

Kids Konnect • November/December 2019 • 37

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