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Mari's blog post on Virtual Vikings monthly newsletter

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One of my hats at school is .2 (one class period) as a Blended Learning Specialist. I work with teachers to do purposeful integration of technology into our classroom. As I try to encourage my colleagues beyond simple substitution with our 1:1 iPads, I've found that we're all sort of stuck in the swamp of so much to do, and not enough time to implement everything.

I had to really sit down and consider what will work best for my teachers. They don't need more PD or expansion of Tech Tuesday lunches. I post resources and ideas on Google Classroom, initiate discussions, and try to be present in classrooms as much as possible. We attend local conferences, such as Edcamp619 and the San Diego CUE Tech Fair. However, they didn't need more of any of that.

It took me the better part of a year analyzing this challenge, talking with colleagues and mentors, and observing how our teachers go about learning.

When I visited Google Boulder for the Innovator Academy in June 2016 and the Googleplex in Mountain View in August 2016, I noticed they had newsletters in all the restroom stalls. This made for some very interesting and technical reading. (Sorry, didn't take any pictures. Google's rules!) And, it reminded me of freshman year of college when our RAs would post the weekly newsletter in the bathrooms-it was impossible to ignore.
A lightbulb went off, and Virtual Vikings was born.
I used Google Slides to create the monthly newsletter template ( see template & example here), then added in new content for each month. When I see cool tech tips, ideas, or lesson spotlights, I add them to a list on Google Keep. My featured sections include: Tech Tip, Classroom Highlight, Spotlight, Monthly Challenge, Viking Tech Crew, and Upcoming Events.

The hardest part is getting classroom spotlights, since I can't be in every classroom every day. I've recruited my Viking Tech Crew (tech club) students to share what they're learning, and take pictures of lessons and activities they'd like to share.

I'm thankful my dear friend Deb, guardian of the color printer, happily prints me 12 copies each month.

In each staff bathroom plus the copy room, I used 3M Command Strips to hang up plastic sheet protectors on the wall or back of the stall door. Each month, I do a Tour De Bathroom and slip a new newsletter into the sheet protector.

I've intentionally chosen not to also email out a copy. I want to preserve the magic and excitement of the physical newsletter. In the future, I'm not opposed to posting a digital archive of past newsletters.

Since starting this in March 2017, I have received extremely positive feedback on the Virtual Vikings newsletter! Each time a new one goes up, friends text me, email me, or stop me in the halls to share what they learned. They like that it's short, colorful, visual, and convenient.

In fact, a few people love Virtual Vikings SO much that newsletters occasionally disappear from the sheet protectors!

I can't wait to post our next Virtual Vikings newsletter when we go back to school in July!

Published by Mari Venturino

@msventurino View all posts by Mari Venturino

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Virtual Vikings - tech learning made convenient!

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One of my hats at school is .2 (one class period) as a Blended Learning Specialist. I work with teachers to do purposeful integration of technology into our classroom. As I try to encourage my colleagues beyond simple substitution with our 1:1 iPads, I've found that we're all sort of stuck in the swamp of...

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by Alex Adams

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Here is my latest issue of PD in the Lou #bathroompd

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Here is my latest issue of PD in the Lou #bathroompd https://t.co/GftGAGhIFs

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A6: Started a blog, started a newsletter that I post in the bathroom #bathroompd #LearnLAP https://t.co/OnpSzGblhm

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Here is my latest issue of PD in the Lou #bathroompd pic.twitter.com/GftGAGhIFs
— Alex Adams (@Coachadamspe) February 6, 2018

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Here is my latest issue of PD in the Lou #bathroompd https://t.co/GftGAGhIFs

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A6: Started a blog, started a newsletter that I post in the bathroom #bathroompd #LearnLAP https://t.co/OnpSzGblhm

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Here is my latest issue of PD in the Lou #bathroompd https://t.co/GftGAGhIFs

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Here is my latest issue of PD in the Lou #bathroompd

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A6: Started a blog, started a newsletter that I post in the bathroom #bathroompd #LearnLAP https://t.co/OnpSzGblhm

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Lifelong learners... #isd97 #nascmn @MooseLakeSchool @gcouros @burgessdave @casas_jimmy #4OCF @perickson22 @charlieborak @BHubred

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Lifelong learners... #isd97 #nascmn @MooseLakeSchool @gcouros @burgessdave @casas_jimmy #4OCF @perickson22 @charlieborak @BHubred pic.twitter.com/AXyALEXbR4
— EDMN-Moose Lake (@MooseLake1329) February 8, 2018

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Lifelong learners... #isd97 #nascmn @MooseLakeSchool @gcouros @burgessdave @casas_jimmy #4OCF @perickson22 @charlieborak @BHubred

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Blog post by Dee Lanier

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"Education technology training tutorial and tips."

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By Marilyn McAlister

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October INSTALLment of #BathroomPD. It's all about #Flipgridfever. 

Shout out to Adam @Flipgrid . He's the best!!!

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October INSTALLment of #BathroomPD. It's all about #Flipgridfever. 

Shout out to Adam @Flipgrid . He's the best!!! https://t.co/Z6yBk4kFQ1

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October INSTALLment of #BathroomPD. It's all about #Flipgridfever.

Shout out to Adam @Flipgrid . He's the best!!! pic.twitter.com/Z6yBk4kFQ1
— Marilyn McAlister (@MarilynEDU) October 9, 2017

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October INSTALLment of #BathroomPD. It's all about #Flipgridfever. 

Shout out to Adam @Flipgrid . He's the best!!! https://t.co/Z6yBk4kFQ1

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October INSTALLment of #BathroomPD. It's all about #Flipgridfever. 

Shout out to Adam @Flipgrid . He's the best!!! https://t.co/Z6yBk4kFQ1

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October INSTALLment of #BathroomPD. It's all about #Flipgridfever. 

Shout out to Adam @Flipgrid . He's the best!!!

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Have a student who can’t read yet or read well? Check out the solution below for enabling Speech on an iPad! #pottypd

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Have a student who can’t read yet or read well? Check out the solution below for enabling Speech on an iPad! #pottypd https://t.co/hV1j7iqa70

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Have a student who can’t read yet or read well? Check out the solution below for enabling Speech on an iPad! #pottypd pic.twitter.com/hV1j7iqa70
— Courtney Broaddus (@mrsbroaddusSLP) February 7, 2018

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Have a student who can’t read yet or read well? Check out the solution below for enabling Speech on an iPad! #pottypd https://t.co/hV1j7iqa70

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Have a student who can’t read yet or read well? Check out the solution below for enabling Speech on an iPad! #pottypd https://t.co/hV1j7iqa70

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Have a student who can’t read yet or read well? Check out the solution below for enabling Speech on an iPad! #pottypd

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You can now search for content within a Google folder!

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You can now search for content in a specific folder in Google Drive. Select the drop-down in the search bar and choose the folder you want ...

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Share new titles from your PD library - we just got The Wild Card by Hope and Wade King.

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When bookmarking, take the words out so you just see the icon--you can fit more

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- digital portfolio

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Don't overlook all of the cool hidden features in Gmail labs. Embed your calendar, preview pane, CANNED RESPONSES, and more!

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Bitmoji
Black Menu for Google
Screencastify
Extensity
Session Buddy

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Make a list of chromebook keyboard shortcuts

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Great for making quick screencasts on the fly and they now have the ability to annotate.  Free!   Even "littles" can make screencasts, too.

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Teacher approved - kid tested FREE sites

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Teacher approved - kid tested FREE sites

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Young readers - teachyourmonstertoread.com
K-5 math - prodigygame.com

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Sometimes I video record my screen to show or explain where to go or what to click for my teachers and students.

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Screencastify is Chrome's simplest free screen recorder and video-creation platform, empowering anyone to become a better communicator by recording, editing, sharing, and assessing videos in seconds.

With Screencastify, use simple yet powerful screen recording tools to:

Record your desktop, browser tab, and/or webcam
Edit video from your browser
Share your video in multiple ways
Assess effectiveness with Interactive Questions and analytics
Request video submissions with Submit

Educators, professionals, and personal creators across the world use Screencastify screen recorder as a simple way to communicate more effectively through video.

🎬 Join a massive community of video creators
✔ Millions of weekly users
✔ Hundreds of millions of videos recorded
✔ Incredibly easy to learn and use

🎥 Create engaging videos with our easy-to-use screen recorder
▸ Record your browser tab, desktop, and/or your webcam
▸ Narrate with your microphone's audio
▸ Embed your webcam into the recording
▸ Annotate in real time to highlight key points

✂️ Simple video editing
▸ Trim the start and end of your videos
▸ Draw on your tab with the pen tool
▸ Merge, crop, and add text to videos

🚀 Share with your audience, wherever they are
▸ View and share videos on Google Drive
▸ Share to Google Classroom
▸ Export as MP4, animated GIF, or MP3
▸ See who has viewed your videos
▸ Add Interactive Questions to check viewer comprehension


👀Available free
▸ Create and store up to 10 videos free or upgrade for unlimited video creation
▸ Record and store videos up to 30 minutes for free

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How do people use Screencastify to communicate more effectively?

🎓 Education:
▸ Create instructional videos to engage your students whether they're university students or kindergarteners
▸ Create feedback videos to save time and increase your impact
▸ Embrace flipped classrooms or blended learning with video lessons
▸ Have your students practice foreign languages or public speaking
▸ Easily check for student comprehension with Interactive Questions

🏛️ At Work:
▸ Eliminate emails in favor of more effective, personalized communication
▸ Create performance review videos for coworkers
▸ Share engaging messages with your customers, users, and colleagues
▸ Create training and onboarding videos that captivate your employees
▸ Cancel meetings by sharing video instead

🌍 Everyday creators:
▸ With millions of weekly users, we've helped creators share countless ideas for videos to life - from professional YouTubers to personal trainers and attorneys to UFO hunters. What are you waiting for? Install Screencastify and inspire the world with your video communication.

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📝 Specs:
▸ Screencasts are captured as webm/vp8 files with ogg vorbis audio
▸ Videos can be saved to your local disk as various file types (GIF, MP4, etc), directly to your Google Drive, or you can simply share the link
▸ Screencastify screen recorder does not depend on any external software (like Java, Flash or other plugins) so it runs on Chrome OS, Chromebooks, and Chromeboxes
▸ Screen recording is a CPU intensive task. Older or weaker computers may lag if multiple programs and tabs are open at the same time as a screencast

📨 Info / Contact Us:
▸ Twitter:  @Screencastify
▸ Support Docs:  https://learn.screencastify.com
▸ Tech Support: support@screencastify.com

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The leading screen recorder for Chrome. Capture, edit and share videos in seconds.

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If your projectors aren't network connected, use a chromecast to connect your mobile device or laptop to your projector and lead class from any location.

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Allows students to have what they type read aloud to them or dictate their words into Google Doc

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This agenda Book app is just like a paper agenda .... they even have a hall pass feature!

http://www.appazur.com/en/

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Other Newsletter Template Examples from Ryan O'Donnell

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Other Newsletter Template Examples from Ryan O'Donnell

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Common Sense Media has created lessons for each grade level, but there are several "What teachers should know" sheets.

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Professional Development | Common Sense Education

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Common Sense Education provides educators and students with the resources they need to harness the power of technology for learning and life. Find a free K-12 Digital Citizenship curriculum, reviews of popular EdTech apps, and resources for protecting student privacy.

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Teach your teachers to close all apps, close all windows and just have open what you've assigned.
We have iPads and now when we say that and walk around, they know to click the home button twice, so we can see everything is closed.

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Include a quote or image to inspire and encourage your peers! It really could go a long way.

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Where can #students find relevant, reliable media #resources? Designed to inspire students to take active roles as researchers, data analysts, and creators, #KQEDLearn provides free content for using media in the classroom. #digitalmedia Sign up today: bit.ly/2tscAA7pic.twitter.com/pBWnBi5gPa

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Where can #students find relevant, reliable media #resources? Designed to inspire students to take active roles as researchers, data analysts, and creators, #KQEDLearn provides free content for using media in the classroom. #digitalmedia Sign up today: bit.ly/2tscAA7pic.twitter.com/pBWnBi5gPa

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Storyline – Stories for Kids…Read by Famous Actors by the Screen Actors Guild https://goo.gl/fNRtjf  

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Storyline – Stories for Kids…Read by Famous Actors by the Screen Actors Guild https://goo.gl/fNRtjf  

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This tool is a MUST for staying organized! App AND website!

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Capture, organize, and tackle your to-dos from anywhere | Trello

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Make the impossible, possible with Trello. The ultimate tool to boost your productivity. Escape the clutter and chaos—stay efficient with Inbox, Boards, and Planner from anywhere, even on mobile.

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For a great blog post by a Youtuber about how it changes a person and can make you become someone you don't like anymore, Check out link below. I had 6th and 8th graders read it and then right reflections.

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Photo By John Estanislau
"Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" by Relient K might be the perfect song to define how I feel at this point in my life. In case you're not familiar, here's a part of the chorus:

Stop right there, that's exactly where I lost it. See that line, well I never should have crossed it. Stop right there, well I never should have said That it's the very moment that I wish that I could take back. I'm sorry for the person I became. I'm sorry that it took so long for me to change. I'm ready to try and never become that way again 'Cause who I am hates who I've been. Who I am hates who I've been.

"It's the very moment that I wish that I could take back" rings true for several moments throughout my time in LA. Since moving here in 2011, I've changed a lot. I've had my heart broken not just by boys but by friends, family, and the weight of my dreams. Maybe it's the isolation that LA brings from being such a busy city, but reality has definitely hit harder living here than it did when I was living at home. At home no one understood what I was doing. Granted, in 2008 I looked like quite the freak walking around Modesto, CA talking to my camera. The selfie wasn't a thing yet so people just thought I was crazy. Which I loved! LET THEM THINK I'M CRAZY! I'M A GIRL WITH A DREAM AND MY CAMERA IS THE ONE WAY TICKET TO GET THERE! I didn't care that people at home didn't understand what I was doing. I didn't need their affirmation or support (although it would've been nice) to keep pursuing this crazy new career online. What I told myself daily back then was that my dreams weren't for people to understand. My dreams were a beautiful thing that were born in my heart, and they come to life with every step forward I take. Someday they'd see my dream become a reality, and it wouldn't be an "I told you so" moment. It would be something I could finally share with the world and know that what I saw every night when I closed my eyes, I could see now even when I blinked-it'd be real.

When I finally made it to LA none of that mattered. It was a new caliber of crazy and me talking to my camera was child's play in comparison. Actually, I don't even think being a YouTuber was in a category of crazy. I feel like Hollywood filed it under "Unknown/Ignore" in 2011. The digital turning point didn't come until 2013, but at the time, I had won a Google contest called YouTube Next Up that gave 25 creators $35,000 to invest in their YouTube career. It was basically what YouTube Red is now, in terms of featuring creators and giving them money to make next level content. There's something that changed in me when I won that money that I wish hadn't. I started to care about all the people who didn't understand what I was doing. I started to change everything about myself and how I created because I wanted them to get it. I wanted to be taken seriously. How could anyone ever take me seriously if I spent the majority of my time playing World of Warcraft and lip dubbing to my favorite songs on YouTube. The songs weren't even my own that I was lip dubbing. They were songs I loved but did nothing for my brand because I didn't own them. I didn't want to become the girl who was famous for a moment because of an Owl City song. I wanted more. They needed more of me. I needed to show them that I was more-that I had more to offer and that I wasn't a one hit wonder.

I lost weight, I started painting my nails, I got a haircut that cost more that $12, I stopped wearing hoodies all the time, I started wearing makeup, I started making meetings, and I started to play "The Game"-something I thought at the time was essential to making it in LA. A part of me felt like I was betraying who I was by making all these changes, but another part felt like this was growing up. I was investing in myself and taking pride in how I presented myself to the world. It was definitely a good thing for my self-esteem because, up until that point, I had never learned to put on makeup or dress girly. I always felt that when I tried, the whole world noticed, and if I didn't fit the mold I would've have failed at being a girl or something. IDK! I'm crazy. My logic never makes sense lol. Spoiler alert, that was just an insane fear I had built up in my head and in no way could ever be true. I was also holding myself to impossibly unrealistic standards that every girl does.

For the most part these changes were good... but what changed that I wish hadn't?

I wish I hadn't stopped believing in myself.

I think I thought that maybe if I hit a certain milestone in subscribers or maintained a certain number of views, something in me would change. Maybe a certain brand deal would come in and affirm in me that I was enough-I was worth it. But no matter where I found success, it wasn't enough because I started off trying to accomplish all these goals/dreams with the foundation being "I'm not enough."

I'm in tears now thinking about how hard I've worked since I started my YouTube channel all those years ago and how far away I've gotten from the person I once was.

I started my YouTube channel because I was alone. I thought maybe I could find friends online who were like me-I found much more than that. I found a family I didn't know I had. I found inspiration, creative freedom, and endless possibilities. I found hope for a future career that didn't exist. I felt like a trailblazer in the wild west with every new milestone the YouTube community hit. I felt a sense of responsibility to be 100% myself and show love and joy to every person who visited my channel. I wanted to be a changing force in the world, and I had hoped that when people would subscribe to my channel they'd see that. They'd see me and maybe in their heart think they could be themselves too. I'm on a journey back to that. I'll measure my success not by views or fluctuating algorithms, but by how proud I am of what I've made. I'm changing my mindset and letting go of who I used to be. This website is just the beginning, and what follows will be more of who I am now. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for supporting me. A million times over-thank you.

Love Meghan

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Photo By John Estanislau "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" by Relient K might be the perfect song to define how I feel at this point in my life. In case you're not familiar, here's a part of the chorus: Stop right there, that's exactly where I lost it.

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Trying to include offline engagement tips for my teachers who still refuse to embrach tech. Also just want to promote best practices.

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I have used a section to share and remind teachers of our school tech goals etc.

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We just adopted the new ISTE standards last Spring. Its our implementation year.

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After the first PottyPD was put out, I have had teachers ask to contribute. Our Reading Specialist have already shared. Id like to see our Media Specialist in on it soon!

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https://www.cyndikuhn.info/pd-in-the-privy.html