USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1904 > Part 2
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- 1904
Dennis E. Smith,
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1905
William C. Temple, secretary, -
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- 1906
PAXTON.
Term Expires
Lewis S. Clapp, -
1905
Rev. George H. Pratt, -
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1906
Mrs. Susie E. Flint, - -
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- 1907
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ANNUAL REPORT.
To the School Committees of Holden, Oakham, Paxton and Rutland :
The fourth annual report of the superintendent of schools for the district comprising your towns is herewith presented.
The year just closed has been filled with activities similar to those which I have described in detail in previous reports. On the road, in the schoolroom, or at the desk, my time has been devoted to the interests of the schools of the district. Through the loyal co-operation of my fellow-workers and your continued confidence and support, I trust that our standards have been maintained and progress made.
ATTENDANCE.
Your attention is called to the "Summary of Attendance " inserted below, and to the tables which follow. In the tables
SUMMARY OF ATTENDANCE.
HOLDEN
OAKHAM.
PAXTON.
RUTLAND.
Total.
No. enrolled since September 1, 1903. .
572
94
76
276
1018
Average membership for year
491.2
78.5
64.7
235.8
870.2
Average attendance for year.
437.9
72.4
54.3
201.9
766.5
Per cent. of attendance for year
89.1
92.2
85.7
85.6
88.1
Per cent. of attendance for last year.
89.3
93.1
88.7
85.1
89.1
STATISTICAL TABLES. HOLDEN.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
TERMS, 1903-'04
No. Weeks
in Term
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per Cent. of
Attendance
Per Cent.
for Year
No. Cases of
Tardiness
High School
1
A. K. Learned, Prin. Marion E. Bascom,
Assistant
Winter ..
12
54.1
47.5
31.0 38.6
91.2 92.0
Center, Grammar.
Mary E. Lewis.
Mary E. Lewis.
Winter ..
6
40.0
33.7
84.2
89.1
Margery A. Rice
Spring . Fall ...
12
34.9 30.0
30.7 27.1
87.9 90.5
Center, Primary ..
Margery A. Rice Margery A. Rice.
Winter ..
8
27.6
23.5
85.1
87.8
Helen L. Smith
12
21.0
19.7
93.5 92.2
Jefferson, Higher.
Adella L. Adams Adella L. Adams
Winter ..
8
15.1
12.6
83.5
89.7
Jefferson, Room 4.
Clara K. Bascom. Clara K. Bascom. Clara K. Bascom
Spring . . Fall
12
31.9
29.4
91.9 92.8
Winter ..
8
32.5
27.5
84.5
89.7
Jefferson, Room 3.
Elizabeth Hoxie Elizabeth Hoxie
Spring . . Fall
12
37.3
34.9 35.6 30.1
85.5
91.5
Elizabeth Hoxie.
Winter ..
8
35.1
32.4
23.5
72.4
85.4
Jefferson, Room 1. <
Mary L. Gove .. Mary L. Gove ..
Winter ..
8
18.3
11.0
86.8 88.6 60.1
78.5
Chaffin, Grammar.
Florence L. Johnson. Florence L. Johnson. Florence L. Johnson.
Spring . . Fall . Winter ..
8
31.9
28.8
90.3
91.6
Chaffin, Primary.
Mabel C. Reid Mabel C. Reid
Winter ..
8
27.7
22.5
74.5
88.1
Quinapoxet, / Grammar
1
Lillian A. Warner Lillian A. Warner. A. Florence Kirby ..
Spring Fall Winter.
00
34.0
22.2 20.5 27.5
80.5
84.5
North Woods
Katharine Sullivan Katharine Sullivan .. Katharine Sullivan ..
Spring .. Fall Winter ..
8
20.0
16.8
94.9 95.2 84.0
91.3
Spring . Fall
16
18.7
20.7 16.6
87.4 89.0
Springdale
Maud F. Findeisen ... Anna M. Tracey. Sarah G. Donaher.
Winter ..
8
14.8
11.2
75.1
83.8
12
20.0
Dawson
Margaret A. Dolan .. Margaret A. Dolan ... Margaret A. Dolan ...
Spring . . Fall Winter ..
8
18.0
14.0
92.0 89.0 77.0
86.0
Spring . . Fall
16
22.7
21.6 22.4
99.4 98.5 96.6
98.2
1
Sadie I. Packard .. Sadie I. Packard. Sadie I. Packard.
Winter ..
8
22.0
21.2
17.7 17.0
89.6
Unionville
Florence Kirby. Florence Kirby. Mary E. Lamberton ..
Winter ..
8
20.0
15.0
86.0 75.0
83.5
28 27 58
15 33 25
79 53 73
29 40 16
39 30 14
58 46 27
40 24 19
16 16 6
3 3 1
14 1 3
24 44 34
27 33 7
21 8 3
12 27 13
0
16
20.0
21.8
9
South
7
Spring . . Fall
12
19.6
16
20.5
11 23 7
11
43.2
41.7 48.2
94.4 89.3 87.7
90.4
Alma M. Atwell
Spring . Fall
16
39.6
17.8
16.4
34.3
94.0 95.0
16
36.5
32.9
25.4 30.1
91.5
Jefferson, Room 2.
Esther C. Hendricks. Esther C. Hendricks. Esther C. Hendricks.
Winter ..
8
Spring .. Fall
16
34.4
34.0 30.5
28.1 .32.5
91.9
16
35.0
28.5
37.2 26.8
95.9 94.0
12
26.0
16
35.0
28.0
24.0 32.0 24.0
93.0 91.0 86.0
90.0
12
25.4
87.5
16
23.7
86.5
12
20.3
16
21.6
19.3 20.7
92.8
Mabel C. Reid
Spring . Fall
12
39.1
16
Spring . Fall Winter ..
12
39.1
Mary L. Gove.
Spring . . Fall
12
27.9
16
92.5
Spring Fall.
16
16
37.0
16
[Spring . . Fall
16
54.5
12
34.0
12
30.4
Quinapoxet, Primary
-
Ida G. Abbott. Ida G. Abbott. Ida G. Abbott.
8
12
23.7
19.0 19.0
11 15
12
PAXTON.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
TERMS. 1903-'04.
in Term. No. Weeks
Average
Membership.
Average
Attendance.
Per Cent. of
Attendance.
Per Cent. for
No. Cases of
Tardiness.
Grammar
Jennie R. Burnham .. Jennie R. Burnham .. Jennie R. Burnham ..
Spring . . Fall .. Winter ..
16 12
15.1 16.7
15.1
13.8
86.3
88.4
25 38
Intermediate
M. Alice Converse ... M. Alice Converse
Spring Fall ... . Winter ..
12
25.4
23.4
92.1
. .
86.7
64 49 42
Primary.
-
Bertha B. Pierce.
Winter ..
7
21.5
13.3
81.8 76.3
82.1
27
RUTLAND.
Robert Cushman, Principal
Spring ..
14
28.6
26.5
92.7
54
Bertram A. Albro, Prin.
Fall ..
13
24.0
22.7
84.0
50
Sarah W. Kelley, Asst. -
Winter ..
11
20.0
14.0
70.0
82.2
135
Center, Grammar.
Elrie P. Newcomb. Elrie P. Newcomb
Spring .. Fall ... Winter ..
12
44.1 40.4 37.2
32.5
87.2
89.6
69 31
Center,
Ethel R. Sellers
Spring .. . Fall ..
12
39.0
34.2
87.8
40
Intermediate
Ethel R. Sellers.
Winter ..
7
41.2
35.5 33.0
80.0
86.2
55
Center, 2d Prim ..
Sfa M. Ward. Sfa M. Ward.
Winter ..
7
29.9
25.8
87.4
29
Center, 1st Prim ..
Annie M. Jenness .. Ethel C. Wetherbee ..
Winter ..
7
25.3
18.9
73.0
83.0
54
North Rutland ...
Anna I. Clark
11
29.2
25.7
88.0
96
-
Anna I. Clark
Winter ..
9
24.6
18.3
74.0
82.1
18
-
Lucy M. Grant Grace S. Hathaway ... Grace S. Hathaway.,
Spring ... Fall .. Winter ..
12
41.0 28.0
31.0 36.0 15.0
53.0
78.3
8
OAKHAM.
Center, Grammar.
-
Florence E. Bothwell. Spring . Florence E. Bothwell. Fall . Florence E. Bothwell. Winter ..
10 11
15.3 19.5 20.5
14.3 18.7 18.9
94.0 96.0 92.5
94.1
8
1
Minnie M. Mellen ..
Spring . . Fall
10
17.2
16.2
96.8 95.1
12
Center, Primary .. ‹
1
Minnie M. Mellen ..
Winter ..
11
17.6
16.8
94.7
95.5
3
Blanche Packard.
10
9.0
8.4
93.0
0
Coldbrook
Blanche Packard ..
11
9.0
8.6
95.0
Blanche Packard.
Winter ..
11
11.7
10.4
90.0
92.6
0
South
Mrs. Minnie G. Woodis Mrs. Minnie G. Woodis Fall
Spring
10
16.9
14.2
84.0 95.4
1
Mrs. Minnie G. Woodis Winter ..
11
15.0
12.8
82.4
..... 87.2
3
Althea Russell
Spring
10
19.0
17.4
91.7
13
West.
Ruth Butterfield Ruth Butterfield
Fall
11
14.9
13.9
93.2
Winter ..
11
14.0
12.4
88.5
91.1
10
1
Lulu M. Baker.
Spring . . Fall.
16
27.5 25.3
24.1 20.7
88.2
76
Isabelle Jones
12
13
39.0
30.8
28.4
92.0
49
Spring .. . Fall ..
12
26.9
22.7
84.3
56
Mabelle Heald
Spring. Fall .. .
13
34.1
30.6
89.3 85.6
42
Annie M. Jenness
Spring ... Fall ...
12
59.6
50.5
84.0
67
13
12
33.0
94.0
9
West Rutland.
88.0
..
9
3
10
11
11
18.7
17.8
90.6 91.2
53
Elrie P. Newcomb
13
20.7
18.1
87.4
M. Alice Converse
26.3
21.3
80.8
...
52
16.0
13.4
88.4 90.5
Year.
0
11
17.8
16.9
Minnie M. Mellen.
8
Sfa M. Ward.
91.0
74
39.9 36.8
16
High School
31
Spring Fall ..
6
the column headed " Average Membership " shows the number of pupils who are expected to be present every day in any given term, unless prevented by reasons which make absence neces- sary. The column headed " Per Cent. of Attendance " shows the proportion of this number actually present on the average through the term. The difference between this per cent. and 100 shows the part of its expenditure for which the town has re- ceived no return in actual service to its pupils, simply because pupils were not present to enjoy their privilege.
The following are the superintendent's instructions to teach- ers on the matter of attendance :
1. Try to make the school attractive through interest in the work and pleasant associations.
2. Use the Roll of Honor as a stimulus, and judiciously stimulate . competition with other schools.
3. By personal interviews try to interest any parents who may not be alive to the importance of regularity and punctuality.
4. Insist on promptly rendered reasons for all absences. On the register mark e (excused) only necessary absences. Mark others n (not excused). Warn parents when the number of half-days of ab- sence approaches ten, if unexcused. See Chap. 496, Sec. 31. Require explanation of failure to enter promptly at the opening of the term. Such absence, unexcused, counts on the " ten half-days."
5. Report to the truant officer cases of continued absence for which you cannot find a good reason. Ask the officer to report to you the result of his investigations. Keep a memorandum of all cases requiring the officer's attention.
In short, use all means needed to secure what the law requires. See Chap. 496, Sec. 12.
The references above are to the State law, which requires the at- tendance at school, during all the time the school is in session, of every child between the ages of seven and fourteen, and which further requires every person having under his control such a child to cause him to so attend.
The evils of irregularity are so forcibly stated in the last report of the lamented secretary of the Board of Education, Hon. Frank A. Hill, that I quote his words :
Needless irregularity of attendance is, of course, an exceedingly burdensome weight for the pupil, the teacher, the school, the family, the community to carry. It causes irreparable breaks in the child's
7
training; it is fatal to his interest in study; it forces the teacher to repeat her instruction, or to let the child go without it; it wounds the school; it hurts the family; it vitiates the expenditure of the school money; from it issue a thousand rills of evil consequences. So deeply are the rights of others and the welfare of the child involved in it that the State has authorized stringent measures for reducing it to a minimum. The efforts of the teachers to secure constancy of attendance have, therefore, great impelling reasons behind them, and are to be highly commended.
I have found many cases of real heroism among pupils in their effort to get to school under adverse conditions, and many parents show a commendable spirit of sacrifice in trying to secure for their children the full benefit of the school priv- ileges furnished by the town. But there are also a good many short-sighted parents who allow trivial causes to interfere with the school duties of their children, and some who deliberately keep their children from school when it is convenient to do so. It is for these that the compulsory law is designed, and I shall advise its enforcement in the cases where enforcement is evidently needed.
TOWN NOTES.
This year I change the usual order and place in the early part of the report the notes pertaining to particular towns, and fol- low with matter of interest to the district as a whole.
HOLDEN.
Attendance .- The South school, as usual, shows the highest per cent. of attendance of any in the town ; this year it has the high- est in the district. The interest of the children and their par- ents in maintaining their remarkable record for regular attend- ance is worthy of imitation. I wish it might spread through all the schools.
The attendance in Room 1, Jefferson, which is composed en- tirely of very young children, has been so small during the winter term of this year and last as to suggest to some the ad- visability of closing the school in future for the winter. The small number of pupils in the higher room further suggests the possibility of organizing the pupils at this building into four rooms, as was formerly done.
8
The membership at Quinapoxet during the fall term com- pletely filled both rooms. The extensive enlargement of the C. G. Wood Company's mills, now going on, may bring to the village such an increase in the school population as to require a third room in the near future.
Teachers .- At the opening of the spring term, Miss Ida G. Abbott replaced Miss Alice Frye in the Quinapoxet grammar school. Miss Lillian G. Ryan, at North Woods, resigned in May to be married and Miss Kathryn Sullivan was her success- or. Miss Helen L. Smith, the principal at Jefferson, resigned after one year's service to accept a more attractive position, and Miss Adella Adams was secured for the place. Miss Alma M. Atwell, who had taught the Center grammar school for two years, resigned in June to be married and was succeeded in September by Miss Mary E. Lewis. Miss Maud Findeisen, teacher at Springdale, accepted a better place than this town could offer her, and Miss Anna M. Tracey was elected at Spring- dale. Miss Tracey resigned during the winter term and Miss Sarah G. Donaher is the present teacher. Miss Lillian Warner of the Quinapoxet primary school was called to West Boyls- ton during the fall term, and Miss Florence Kirby was trans- ferred to the place from Unionville. Miss Mary E. Lamberton was engaged for Unionville.
Thus in a force of eighteen teachers, seven new names appear on the list this year. Resignations have recently been received from the teachers of the grammar schools at the Center and at Chaffin. It is with especial regret that we lose from our force Miss Florence Johnson, who has taught the grammar room at Chaffin with unusual efficiency for more than six years.
The High School .- The following were graduated from the school last June : James F. Beaumont, Minnie A. Findeisen, Edith L. Hendricks, Dagny C. Lindgren, Edith F. Lobdell, Mary O. Lowell, Gilbert E. Moore, Laura V. Nadeau.
Regarding the class, the principal hands me this note :
We follow with solicitude and hope the graduates of the school. Of the eight graduates in the last class, one of the young gentlemen is profitably employed in a large manufacturing establishment of Worcester; the second of the two entered Clark College at the begin- ning of the academic year, but has been obliged to give up study tem-
9
porarily because of ill health. Two of the young ladies are engaged in home duties; the other four entered the Worcester Normal School in September, and are holding honorable rank in that institution.
Nine students are candidates for the diploma of the school in June next. In 1905 there will be no graduating class. In 1906 the four regular high school classes will all be repre- sented. If the ninth grade continues to be taught at the high school, as now, it will then be necessary to employ a third teacher.
Of the fifteen members of the ninth grade who completed the work of last year, all but one returned to begin the high school course in September, and this one removed from town. Of the twenty-one pupils who completed the eighth grade work, six- teen entered the ninth grade at the high school. Two are pur- suing the same work at Chaffin.
The regular attendance of those members of this class and of the high school who are obliged to come from a distance is par- ticularly commendable.
Miss Mabel E. Dickinson, who for several years had spent one day each week at the High School as teacher of drawing, ended her work with us with the spring term, to our great regret. The weekly drawing lessons are continued by Miss Harriot Andrews of Worcester.
The modified courses of study adopted last year have been continued. The English course is of necessity nearly identical with the Classical, aside from the omission of Latin. Nearly all the pupils in the school are taking the Classical course. In Latin and French the course is strong and the instruction satis- factory. In the mathematics offered, thorough work is done. A year in English history, and opportunity for more work in literature and composition are offered by the new course. In science our course is very deficient. Physics is taken, but the absence of facilities for laboratory work by pupils seriously limits the practical value of the . subject. Nothing is done in chemistry, geology, zoölogy, or botany. In short, our pupils are afforded the merest glimpse of the great group of sciences which are so fundamentally related to the utilities and the pleasures of every-day life.
In spite of the limitations which we share with all the small
.
10
high schools of the State, it should be noted that within the range of work attempted, good results are secured, and our graduates who go to higher institutions enter with credit, and, as a rule, maintain a good standing. More important than all, the in- fluence of our school, exerted through the personality of its teachers, counts strongly in the building up of high moral character, which is the surest guarantee of a successful life.
RUTLAND.
Attendance .- The statistical tables show that three of the schools have increased their per cent. of attendance over that of last year. But the great irregularity in other schools brings the average for the town nearly to last year's average. Sickness among the pupils at West Rutland caused much loss there. In all the schools the extremely severe weather of the winter has seriously affected the attendance. At the Center, the schools were all dismissed on several occasions, owing to failure to warm the rooms. On some other days the uncertainty as to whether the rooms would be warm doubtless caused many par- ents to keep their children at home. Opinion is divided as to the cause of the failure to provide the proper temperature, but it is hoped that the Committee realize the serious loss we have suffered and will take measures to prevent its repeti- tion next winter. Inspection of the registers shows the usual amount of absence due merely to parental indifference. I have a considerable list of parents who are apparently liable to fine under the attendance law. If the truant officers can not secure amendment in any other way, I recommend that they be instructed to bring delinquents before the court as provided by the statute.
Teachers .- The present list of teachers includes but one name which appeared in the list of last year. A new high school principal was engaged for the spring term. He resigned at its close to accept a more lucrative position. The present efficient. principal began work in September. The assistant in the high school, Miss Claflin, was visited during the spring term by the superintendent of Attleboro, who offered her a much better position, which she accepted. The new assistant served one
11
term, when she was replaced by Miss Kelly, who is now doing satisfactory service. Miss Sfa Ward was the new teacher engaged for the spring term in the intermediate room. When the new primary room was opened in the fall, she was placed in charge, and Miss Ethel Sellers was secured for the interme- diate room. Miss Ward now resigns, after one year's service, to accept a better position in Natick. Soon after the beginning of her third year in the primary room, Miss Annie M. Jenness accepted an attractive offer from Melrose. Miss Ethel C. Weth - erbee was engaged in her place. During the summer Miss Lucy Grant, who had taught the West Rutland school acceptably for three years, resigned to enter the Bridgewater Normal School, and Miss Mabelle Heald, of North Rutland, resigned to enter a business college. The teacher engaged for North Rutland has now resigned after two terms' service.
My first report noted five new teachers secured for that year for the seven positions in the town. My second report recorded but two changes. Last year I reported five changes, and this year I report eight changes in a force of eight teachers. Such a lack of permanency in its working force would bankrupt any other business, and it has a ruinous effect on the character of our school work. A complete remedy is probably beyond our reach, but a palliative is plainly indicated. Our short school year and small weekly salaries will not attract and hold able teachers of experience and proved success. I am aware of the financial burdens now borne by the town, but I see no way to secure the excellence in school results which every citizen de- sires without putting more money at the disposal of the Com- mittee, to be used judiciously in additional compensation for worthy teachers.
The High School .- In my last report I mentioned two changes in the high school law which affect the town of Rutland. The first change raises the valuation under which a town may be reimbursed for tuition expenditures in outside high schools to $750,000. This brings Rutland into a new class. It may now provide for its high school pupils in another town and have its tuition expenses refunded by the State. The other change pro- vides that if a town like Rutland which is not required by law to maintain a high school, does maintain one with at least two
12
teachers, such town may receive a special State grant of $300. In order to secure the grant, however, the high school condi- tions must be approved by the State Board of Education. At the time my last report was printed, application had been made for the grant, but the decision regarding approval had not been received. Later we were informed that approval was withheld on the ground of non-conformity to the law, in that the high school teachers were also instructing the eighth grade. The law requires that the two teachers shall devote their entire time to high school instruction. In planning for the present year, three courses were open to the Committee. The first was to continue the former arrangement with the eighth grade in the high school room. This plan would not relieve the over crowded primary room, would tend to cripple the high school, and would give up all claim to the special grant. The second course open was to abandon the high school and provide for the high school instruction which the law requires in another town, receiving reimbursement from the State for tuition expenditures. Were there an approved high school conveniently accessible to Rut- land pupils, this plan would be worthy of serious considera- tion. But as the nearest high schools could only be reached with considerable difficulty, and as this condition would debar many pupils from high school privileges, the adoption of this plan
. seemed unwise. The third plan to be considered was to comply with the conditions imposed by the State, and to try to secure the special grant. This plan involved providing a separate room for the high school, employing the two teachers for high school work exclusively, and the maintenance of the school for the time required by law. It also made necessary the employment of another primary teacher for full time, where an assistant had been employed for a part of the year. By the adoption of this plan, not only would the needs of the high school be met, but also the overcrowded primary room would be provided for. The larger part of the extra annual expense involved would be met by the grant from the State.
The whole matter was carefully considered by the Committee and the third plan was approved. Later a special town meet- ing appropriated $350 for carrying it into effect, and granted, temporarily, the use of the reception hall in the town building
13
for the high school. This room was fitted up as a school room at small expense, and with the recitation room formerly used, answers the purpose satisfactorily. The former high school room was occupied by the new primary department, composed of the second and third grades.
Mr. J. W. MacDonald, agent of the Board, has visited the school, and writes me as follows :
In reply to your inquiry, I am pleased to say that I found, on my last visit, December 16, 1903, a marked improvement in the deport- ment and work of the school. The spirit of the school as it appeared on that visit was very commendable.
Mr. MacDonald reminds us that the aim of the State in offer- ing the special grant is not to reduce the amount formerly expended by the town, but to assist it in making its high school a good one. He says : "If the people of Rutland will keep a legal high school, they can have $300 from the State to help them." A "legal high school" is in session forty weeks, but we are allowed, for the present year only, to make the time thirty-eight weeks.
The State requires that every town shall provide free high school instruction for four years for every one of its properly qualified children, without regard to the town's ability to do so. It offers its aid in two forms to enable the less fortunate towns to comply with its requirement. Rutland may choose one of these two forms of aid. The course adopted by the Committee and approved by the town seemed the wiser under present cir- cumstances. Should circumstances materially change, another course might be preferable. Meanwhile vour superintendent and the teachers are endeavoring to make the present school as valuable as possible to each individual pupil, and in this effort they depend upon the cordial support of every intelli- gent citizen.
OAKHAM.
Attendance .- Oakham continues to lead the other towns in regularity of attendance. The heroic spirit shown by many of its pupils in reaching the school in spite of distance and drifts is worthy of much praise.
Teachers .- Miss Althea Russell, of the West school, resigned
14
her position at the end of the spring term to enter college, and Miss Ruth Butterfield was appointed to the place. Otherwise the teachers remain the same as last year. Oakham has been more fortunate than the other towns in retaining its teachers, and the good results of permanency are evident in the work of the schools. The "exceptional ability" law, under which Oak- ham received from the State two dollars per week to apply on the salaries of each of four teachers, was repealed, and this year the grant ceased. But the new method of apportioning the income of the State school fund so increases Oakham's share that the total amount received from the State is not decreased. The town therefore continues the former salaries.
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