Return To School Guidance Document

Coláiste Chú Chulainn Success For All

Cúram. Forbairt. Feabhas. Return To school Guidance Document 2020 Care Development and Excellence

20th August 2020

Return To School Guidance Document Whole School Community Bulletin

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." Henry Ford

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first

four sharpening the axe.” Abraham Lincoln.



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Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2

The Simple Narrative for all .................................................................................................................... 3

Current Update ....................................................................................................................................... 4

Student Induction Programme ............................................................................................................... 5

Health and Safety Measures ................................................................................................................... 6

Knowing the Symptoms of COVID-19 .................................................................................................. 6

Coming To and From School ................................................................................................................... 7

Morning ................................................................................................................................................... 7

Evening .................................................................................................................................................... 7

Walking or Cycling ................................................................................................................................... 7

Arriving at School .................................................................................................................................... 7

Drop off and Collection of Students ....................................................................................................... 8

School Transport advice .......................................................................................................................... 8

Visiting the School / Appointments ........................................................................................................ 8

Face Covers/Mask ................................................................................................................................... 8

Locker Management ............................................................................................................................... 9

Way to Pay .............................................................................................................................................. 9

Uniform ................................................................................................................................................... 9

Mobile Phones ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Personal Hygiene .................................................................................................................................. 10

Canteen ................................................................................................................................................. 11

Break and Lunchtime Supervision......................................................................................................... 12

Physical Distancing, Circulation around School and Consistent Classroom Routines .......................... 13

Students Personal PPE equipment ........................................................................................................ 14

Cleaning Routines ................................................................................................................................. 14

Contact Details ...................................................................................................................................... 14

Code of Behaviour ................................................................................................................................. 14

Well Being ............................................................................................................................................. 15

Student Journal ..................................................................................................................................... 15

Parent-Teacher Meeting ....................................................................................................................... 15

School Parking ....................................................................................................................................... 15

Booklist .................................................................................................................................................. 15

State Examinations Guidance ............................................................................................................... 15

Water Fountains .................................................................................................................................... 15

Dropping off equipment / belongings to school ................................................................................... 16

Very High-Risk Category ........................................................................................................................ 16

Sudden School Closure or Year Groups Advised to Stay at Home ........................................................ 16

ASD and Students with Additional Needs ............................................................................................. 16

Concluding Comments .......................................................................................................................... 16

NOTES .................................................................................................................................................... 17



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Introduction

Dear Parents/Guardians/Students/Staff, We hope all is well with you and your family. These are exceptional and unprecedented times for all students, parents and staff. It is vitally important that we all approach this return to school with a collective, positive and consistent approach. A sense of calm, of safety, of hope, belonging and connectedness to our school community and above all, a collective sense of pragmatism and common sense will ensure an efficient return to class for all. It is acknowledged by acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn and the government that there is no "risk-free" re-opening of schools. However, clear guidance has been provided to all schools so that each school can work to ensure the safest possible return to school for all students, staff and the wider school community. The Government released a roadmap for a full return to school. We are using these guidelines to prepare for the new term. This is a working document and we will continue to keep you informed via letters, text messages and the school website. The School Senior Mangement Team and Board of Management have met and is working on procedures and protocols that must be in place for students to return. Three COVID–19 Aides have been appointed to assist with preparatory work, and one Lead Worker Representative has been elected for the ongoing checking of safety procedures for all with another appointment pending. Preparation work is continuing, and we will continue to ensure we do everything that is possible to minimise the risk posed by COVID -19. Please note that all the following information is current and subject to change at any time on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) Le Meas

Thomas Sharkey Niamh O’Neill Richard Melaniphy

Principal Deputy Principal Deputy Principal



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The Simple Narrative for all



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Current Update

To date we can inform you of the following:

We have a new, modern and well-ventilated building.

All the classrooms we will use are at least 49m², which enable us to afford 1m physical distancing comfortably with some larger classrooms up to 70 m².

The timetable and curriculum have been refined to ensure the vast majority of classes will have 24 students and we have additional larger classrooms at our disposal as over-flow rooms.

We have wide corridors between 2.5m at the narrowest point and 5m at the widest point with a traffic flow system which facilitates physical distancing at all times.

We have employed an additional cleaner to the school.

All classrooms are laid out following the physical distancing guidelines issued by the Government.

All classroom doors and windows will remain open at all times.

New hand sanitiser stations have been delivered to the school.

All classrooms have hand sanitiser and students will sanitise their hands at the beginning and end of each lesson.

All bathrooms have hot water, soap and hand drying facilities.

All staff have completed an infection control management training course provided by the Department of Education and Skills.

New break and lunchtime routines which ensure physical distancing have been prepared.

We have employed twelve new teaching staff.

All of our school documents will be made available and updated regularly on our school website https://www.colaistecc.ie/.

All students will receive a full and detailed induction (as per parent letter dated 5th August available on

our school website) on the measures they must follow to minimise the COVID 19 risk. It is imperative

that students arrive on time for their induction and every morning thereafter. We now ask parents and

students to get fully prepared for their return to school. Please prepare uniforms, copybooks, school

bags and all other necessary stationary.

https://www.colaistecc.ie/

https://www.colaistecc.ie/images/201920/Thomas/LetterParents6th_August2020.pdf



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Student Induction Programme

Student induction programme, as circulated on 6th August via text message and school website “School

Reopening August 2020 Letter to Parents.”

Students are asked to attend their one induction session only as per table below and return to school

on the 2nd September at 8.45am when academic classes commence.

It is imperative that all students, without exception, arrive on time for their induction and every

morning thereafter. Please bring a school bag, pencil case and a spare carrier bag for books on your

induction day. There is no need to bring any copy books for your induction day. Bring copy books for

your academic classes which will start on Wednesday 2nd September 2020.

Date Time Year Groups

Friday 28th August 2020

8.45am to 12pm

First Year Students only: Induction with Year Head, Form Tutors, Senior Student Prefects and Student Ambassadors.

Friday 28th August 2020

12.45pm to 4pm

Fifth Year Students only: Induction with Year Head and Form Tutors.

Monday 31st August 2020

8.45am to 12pm

Sixth Year Students only: Induction with Year Head, Form Tutors and Guidance Counsellors.

Monday 31st August 2020

12.45pm to 4pm

Third Year Students only: Induction with Year Head and Form Tutors.

Tuesday 1st September 2020

8.45am to 12pm

Second Year Students only: Induction with Year Head and Form Tutors.

Tuesday 1st September 2020

12.45pm to 4pm

Transition Year Students only: Induction with Programme Co-ordinator and Form Tutors.

Wednesday 2nd September

8.45am All students return to school, full timetable to run. Academic classes commence for whole scholl



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Health and Safety Measures

Knowing the Symptoms of COVID-19

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important to know and recognise the symptoms:

• high temperature above 37.5°C

• Persistent cough

• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

• loss of smell, or taste or distortion of taste

If your child/children complain of any of these symptoms, we are insisting, for the sake of the school

community, that you keep your child/children at home and call your GP without delay. In the event

that you have more than one child attending Coláiste Chú Chulainn; if any of your children display

symptoms, we are requesting that all siblings remain at home pending the outcome of consultation with

your GP and/or COVID-19 testing.

• If a student or staff member has been abroad 'non-green list countries' prior to returning to

school (i.e. within 14 days), we are asking that they ensure they remain in isolation for 14

consecutive days prior to returning to school

• Students will be encouraged and expected to follow health advice regarding hand sanitation,

respiratory etiquette, etc. Requirements in this regard will be clearly communicated to all

students from the beginning of the year.

• An Isolation Room is available in the school should a member of the School Community become

ill.

• It is vital that all Parents/Guardians have registered the correct contact details with the school.

All parents must ensure they have completed and returned the parent contact and consent forms

which were posted home in June 2020. Copies are available on the school website in the parents

section. Click here to access the forms.

• Hand sanitiser dispensers will be deployed in every teaching space, assembly areas, corridors,

toilets, kitchens and entry points of the school campus. All students will be required to use hand

sanitiser when entering the campus in the morning and when entering every teaching space

throughout the school day.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8868e-view-the-covid-19-travel-advice-list/




https://www.colaistecc.ie/images/201920/Thomas/Parentstudentcommenceformsaug2020.pdf



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• All students and staff must enter the school at all times via the main front entrance only.

Nobody will be allowed to enter the building using any other entrance.

• Wash hand basins, hot running water, liquid soap and hand drying facilities are provided in all

toilets, kitchens and also in some classrooms.

Coming To and From School

Morning

School will be open from 8.20am onwards for students to arrive to school. All students must be in school

before 8.45am. We encourage students as far as possible to walk or cycle to school in the mornings to

avoid congestion. We ask parents to park away from the school entrance to avoid congestion and ask

students to walk into school. If a parent must drive in to school, they must follow the directions from

staff on duty and drop students and go immediately without leaving their vehicle.

Evening

School ends at 3.50pm and 1.10pm on Wednesday. Again we ask students to cycle or walk. Parents

should arrange to collect their children outside from the school gates to avoid congestion. If a parent

must come in to school they must collect and go without leaving their vehicle. No parent will be

allowed into the school gates prior to 3.45pm (Wednesday only 1.05pm.)

Walking or Cycling

All schools are encouraging students to walk or cycle to school. Parents/guardians are required to

observe and respect all social distancing protocols in relation to any contact with the school. This

includes maintaining a two-metre distance to other families when dropping off or collecting their

children from the school and any contact with the school. Electric bicycles or scooters are not allowed

on the school campus.

Arriving at School

When students arrive at school, they should proceed directly to their period 1 classroom which will be

assigned to them in their timetable which will be printed for them on their induction day. Students

should not congregate in groups close to one another. All students and staff must enter through the

main front door only and sanitise their hands at the sanitising stations. Students will be asked to



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adhere to queue management protocols in the mornings when entering the school building. Physical

distancing signage will be displayed all around the school.

Drop off and Collection of Students

The school authority insists that all students and staff use the main entrance only. To minimise traffic

congestion, we are asking that students who are driven to school by car, be dropped off and collected

outside the school gates. If a parent must come in to school they must collect and go. No parent will be

allowed into the school gates prior to 3.45pm / 1.05pm. There are three footpaths into the school to

facilitate ease of access and we insist that all students and staff adhere to physical distancing guidelines.

As cars exit the main gate, we are advising all cars to turn left and use the roundabouts to facilitate

more efficient and safer traffic flow management.

School Transport advice

If you come to school via bus we strongly advise you contact your bus provider directly or view their

websites for the latest information regarding their procedures and protocols.

Visiting the School / Appointments

• School personnel will not be in a position to meet parents on a one to one basis during this

Academic year (as per Guideline, July 2020) unless it is essential and by prior appointment. All

such requests and appointments must be made through the school office via email

[email protected]

• All invited visitors to the school will be asked to wear face coverings and complete contact tracing

recording sheets at the main office.

Face Covers/Mask

• Further clarifications as issued by The Minister for Education on Friday 7th August, stipulate that

all students and teachers will be required to wear face coverings where a physical distance of 2m

cannot be maintained. In this regard, students will be required to wear masks in all circumstances

where a distance of 2m cannot be maintained. We ask that all students therefore present to

school every day with a clean, simple and appropriate face mask. Face masks with club

emblems and other logos / brandings are not permitted.

mailto:[email protected]



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Locker Management

We are developing a locker management system which will enable students to access their lockers.

Access to the lockers will only be granted once we are satisfied students can clean their lock effectively.

Students, will only be able to access their lockers under supervision in the morning and under

supervision at break times and when they leave school. They will only be allowed to use the

combination lock that is provided with the locker.

Lockers will not be issued until after the first couple of weeks. Our main priority is to ensure all students

settle into “S.M.S.O.S. 5 Steps To Staying Safe In School” procedures. Once the school leadership is happy

students are settled and adhering to the procedures and protocols in this document lockers will then be

issued.

All students must present to school on their Induction Programme with a School Bag and Extra carrier

bag in order to take their school books home. Do not send your child to school on their induction day

with copy books, they will not be needed until Wednesday 2nd September when academic classes will

commence.

Students and parents should look at their timetable the night before they come to school and put the

books they require for the next day into their school bag.

Way to Pay

We no longer can accept cash. All parents are to use the Way 2 Pay online payment platform to facilitate

payments and collection of monies as per instructions on the school website.

Uniform

Full and clean school uniform must be worn at all times as per uniform list on the school website.

Students will be allowed to wear their school PE uniform to school on the day they have PE. This will

avoid them having to change in the changing rooms. If they don’t have the school PE uniform they

must wear blue tracksuit pants, a white T-Shirt and a 'respectable' and appropriate hoodie or quarter

zip.

Wearing PE uniform on the day the students have PE will help parents / guardians with the washing of

their school uniform. We recommend that uniforms are washed on a regular basis.

https://www.colaistecc.ie/images/201920/Thomas/Way2payparentinfo.pdf

https://www.colaistecc.ie/images/201920/Thomas/UniformEquipmentList20202021.pdf





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Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are not allowed to be used in school under any circumstance. When students enter

the campus, mobile phones must be switched off and placed in their school bag (or locker when they

become available) and not carried on their person. Students who bring mobile phones into school do

so at their own risk and must adhere to the school mobile phone rules all times. The school authority

will accept no liability if mobiles phone are damaged or lost in school. At the end of the school day,

mobile phones can be switched on once the students have left the school building. All school staff are

not permitted to use their mobile phones in class or in front of students at any time during the school

day.

Personal Hygiene

• Chewing gum is banned for all members of the school community.

• Students will be encouraged and expected to follow health advice regarding hand sanitation,

respiratory etiquette, etc. Requirements in this regard will be clearly communicated to all

students from the beginning of the year.

• Hand sanitiser dispensers will be deployed in every teaching space, assembly areas and entry

points of the school campus. All students will be required to use hand sanitiser when entering

the campus in the morning and when entering every teaching space throughout the school day.

• Wash hand basins, hot running water, liquid soap and hand drying facilities are provided in all

toilets, kitchens and in some classrooms.

• It would be advisable for all students, where possible, to shower immediately on your return

from school to support the minimisation of risk to your family unit.



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Canteen

The Canteen facilities will be available to students at lunch only. The canteen will be closed for the

morning break. We advise all students to bring a snack with them to school for morning break. The

canteen will be cashless this year. Parents must open an account with TFW as per instructions on the

school website.

Canteen cards will be distributed during the induction. Parents must ensure they have opened an

account with TFW 3 days prior to induction. All canteen cards from last year are still valid and the

balance is carried over to this year.

The Canteen will run on a staggered year group system this year as below. Students must queue

following the social distancing queuing procedures in place, collect their lunch and report directly as

instructed by staff to their year group zone only:

12.45pm – 1.00pm First Years Only

1.00pm - 1.10pm - Second Years and Senior Student Leadership Team Only

1.10pm - 1.20pm - Sixth Years Only

1.20pm - 1.30pm - Third Years Only

1.30pm - 1.40pm - TY and 5th Years Only

The above system will be reviewed on a regular basis and switched around to ensure fairness. Students

must report to the canteen at their allocated year group time slot only.

https://www.colaistecc.ie/images/201920/TFW-Cashless-Catering_1.pdf

https://www.colaistecc.ie/images/201920/TFW-Cashless-Catering_1.pdf



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Break and Lunchtime Supervision

As per Government Guidelines we will encourage students to be outside as much as possible. Each

year group will be allocated the following zones. Students must stick to their year groups zones only.

The zones will be supervised by the year group Form Tutors, Year Heads and additional supervisors.

Students within the HSE high risk category will be able to use the canteen. Students within the ASD

special class will be able to access the ASD unit at break and lunch.

Zone Name / Location Year Group Colour

Outdoor Basketball Courts First Years Green

Front of School Second Years Blue

Zone 1 Rear Field Sixth Years Purple

Zone 2 Rear Field Third Years Yellow

Inner Quad 5th Years & TY Red

On days the weather is poor, students will be advised over the tanoy by school management to stay

indoors and students must report to these year group zones only:

Zone Name / Location Year Group Colour

PE Hall First Years Green

Front of School Lower Corridor Second Years Blue

Rear Upper Corridor Sixth Years Purple

Front of school Upper Corridor Third Years Yellow

Rear Lower Corridor 5th Years & TY Red

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

Benjamin Franklin

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/people-at-higher-risk.html



Physical Distancing, Circulation around School and Consistent Classroom Routines

All students and staff will adhere to all the following protocols to the letter and without question:

The school corridors are wide and have been setup using a clearly labelled arrowed traffic flow

system. Staff and students are to circulate on the left at all times with their bags on their right

shoulders. Stairwells operate on a one way systems and are also clearly labelled.

Socially distanced and clearly labelled queuing systems have been implemented in specific areas

throughout the campus. Students are asked to comply with queuing systems that have been put

in place. These will be communicated in detail to students during their induction day.

All classrooms have been laid out with a minimum of 1m Physical distancing between students and

staff in line with the Department of Education Roadmap (July 2020). All staff and students must

observe a minimum of 1m distance at all times and aim for 2m distance in larger areas and outside.

The number of double period classes has been increased to limit movement. Due to the wide

nature of our corridors and the schools open design, students will be able move bewteen classes,

as per timetables, to their subject teachers assigned room.

All staff will stand at their classroom doors between lessons and supervise students socially

distanced circulation around the school.

Classroom Routine to be followed by all staff and students at all times:

All classroom doors and windows will remain open at all times.

On arrival in the class the students will be welcomed by their teacher, hands will be sanitised and

students will be directed to sit in their allocated seat as per set seating plans.

All staff will ensure all attendance rolls are taken on eportal within the first three minutes of

class and are fully accurate.

The teacher and SNA will endeavour to keep a minimum of 1 metre from students.

Students and staff must use their own equipment only, including textbooks. No materials, under

any circumstance, will be handout or shared by staff or students.

Staff have been asked not to handout photocopied materials. On the rare occasion that a

resource needs to be used by the student, the student will collect it from a desk as they enter the

classroom.

Teachers will encourage students to share their completed assignments via their Office 365

accounts to minimise viral spread, in particular for homework assignments.



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At the end of class hands will be sanitised and the teacher will instruct students to leave row by

row in a controlled manner.

In practical classes, students will be allocated numbered equipment which they will clean at the

end of each lesson using provided cleaning products. Disposable gloves will be provided for

students in practical classes. The student will dispose of them in the provided bins at the end of

the lesson.

Students will be provided with disposable gloves for use in ICT lessons.

Students Personal PPE equipment

In addition to our PPE stocks, it is advisable for students to carry their own personal hand sanitiser

and anti-viral cleaning wipes which are available in most shops and pharmacists.

Cleaning Routines

All staff have completed an Infection and Control Course and an HSA Health and Safety Risk

Management course. Staff will clean their rooms regularly and will receive guidance on how this will

be carried out. Additional cleaning materials and equipment will be available in every teaching space.

Any student found to be interfering with or misusing these safety products and equipment will be

subject to immediate sanction.

Contact Details

Please ensure that we have up to date contact details on file. All parents/guardians must ensure we

have up to date contact details (home address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact

numbers). Now more than ever, this is of paramount importance!

Code of Behaviour

All parents and students must sign the consent forms which were posted home and are available on

the school website. These are exceptional times, and on occasion, they require extraordinary

measures. Any breach of the health and safety systems outlined in this document will be dealt with in

a rapid and robust manner to protect all stakeholders and the communities the school serves.

Students who fail to comply with the systems and procedures in this document will be sent home

with their parents immediately until a meeting can be arranged with a member of the Senior

Management Team.





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Well Being

Student and staff wellbeing is obviously of paramount importance to us during these exceptional

and challenging times. One of our appointed school aides, Ms. McLaughlin, has produced

comprehensive teaching and learning materials to support student and staff wellbeing and alleviate

anxiety. This will be covered by all staff and in all lessons. Open dialogue is key to supporting

wellbeing. We are actively supported by NEPS, NCSE and DES and have also appointed an additional

guidance counsellor. Please rest assured that all our efforts are focused on producing a return to

school which focuses on student and staff wellbeing. Normal pastoral structures are also available for

all our students including Form Tutors, Class Teachers, Year Heads, Guidance Counsellors and SNAs.

We want students to return to an organised, structured, fun and safe learning environment and we

will continue to do all we can to ensure this happens.

Student Journal

The Student Journal has proven to be an invaluable communication tool between home and school.

The Journal is intended as an aid to students to support them in their studies. Pages are also set aside

for communication between parents and teachers. Parents are required to sign the student journal

once a week and bring their child's School Journal with them when attending the Parent-Teacher

Meeting.

Parent-Teacher Meeting

Further advice is due from the Department of Education and Skills in relation to Parent Teacher

Meetings. We will update parents once we receive this guidance.

School Parking

The school car park at the rear of the building is for staff use only.

Booklist

This will be made available on our school website once books have been distributed to students.

State Examinations Guidance

We are awaiting further guidance.

Water Fountains

Students and staff will have no access to water fountains due to hygiene restrictions. Students must

bring a full water bottle with them to school everyday.



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Dropping off equipment / belongings to school

No dropping off of equipment, belongings or food to school can take place due to hygiene restrictions. It is therefore vitally important that all students come to school fully equipped with all their school materials they require for the day.

Very High-Risk Category

Any parent who has concerns for their son/daughter and feel they may fall into a very high-risk category and believe that a return to school may be challenging, please contact Ms. O’Neill via the school email address [email protected] so we can support their safe return to school.

Sudden School Closure or Year Groups Advised to Stay at Home

In the unforeseen event, that the school cannot provide safe supervision of students because there is unavailable staff, the Principal may be forced in certain circumstances to ask certain year groups to remain at home. We just want to set parents' expectations that if this sudden announcement occurs, it does not mean the school has a sudden COVID-19 related issue. It just implies the school cannot source enough teachers to provide adequate supervision for a safe environment.

ASD and Students with Additional Needs

The school is developing a range of standard operating procedures for our Special Needs Assistants and Special Education Teachers; we will communicate those measures in due course once these safety protocols are established. In the interim, if you have any concerns, please contact our SENCO Ms. Maeve McEnteggart or Ms O’Neill via the school website [email protected]

Concluding Comments

We expect revisions and updates to this document. Further details regarding the return to school will be communicated to parents via text message and the school website. Every effort has been made to provide all the necessary requirements as laid out by the Department of Education and Skills, but individual responsibility will be the key to our success. We all must remember that COVID 19 doesn’t have a brain. We are the ones with brains and we must use them and our own common sense wisely. Henry Ford said "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." As school staff, we are very excited about welcoming back our excellent students to school. It's been a long five and a half months! We look forward to welcoming them and please rest assured we will continue to do all we can to support the students, parents and staff as they return back to school. In anticipation of your full support, Thomas Sharkey Niamh O’Neill Richard Melaniphy

Principal Deputy Principal Deputy Principal







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NOTES

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