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| PTA Monthly Newsletter |
March 2011 |
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PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
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As I mentioned in the last Friday Digest, our big fundraising season was wildly successful! Thanks to our Auction team leaders, Julia Nelson, Delia Swigart, and Roger Moskowitz (and the rest of the team, see below), and our Fun Fair Co-Chairs, Trisha Downey and Kim Johnson (see below for their team too) for working so hard to bring about these events! Thank you also to everyone who donated to the auction, class basket raffles, cakewalk, and balloon raffle. All donations, small and large, are appreciated! We brought in funds that exceeded our expectations and covered our budget deficit, and now we have some extra funds to put towards some additional projects, including possibly renovating our gym floor. We are in the pipeline with the county to get an estimate for the project, and I hope to know more next month. Many of you have asked if this is a possibility, and it is, but we need to follow the county procedures and then our own PTA budget adjustment process. Stay tuned! Please also be on the lookout for our Annual Spring PTA Survey. Again this April, we will be surveying parents on PTA activities, our communications program, and more. This is our only official way of knowing how we're doing and how we can better serve our community. Also Fun Fair is conducting a separate, but equally important, survey because there were so many changes this year that we don't want anything to get lost. We want to know how everyone liked the changes! You should have received the survey in your Thursday envelope this week. If not, click here to access it. If you volunteered and have suggestions, please get in touch with Kim or Trisha! As we move into the Spring, we are starting to learn which PTA positions are opening up for next year, either because parents are graduating with their kids or are just ready to move on. Now is a great time to consider how you can help next year. We've listed positions we know are open at this point on the Volunteer page of our new website, with more being added as they become available. Several of the open positions are managing after school activities, and are currently held by full-time working parents. You do not need to be present during the activity! If your children participate in one of these programs, please consider helping manage it. Please contact the Nominating Committee if you'd like help figuring out where you can help. Thank you to those who have already volunteered and served on the PTA. Happy Spring (if it's really here), Laurie Plishker, PTA President |
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| PTA SPONSORED ACTIVITIES | |
Summer Quest 2011
By: Raquel Willerman
The Summer Quest catalog is here and they are open for registration! Go to http://chesterbrookpta.org/summerquest.aspx to browse the amazing variety of interests on offer. There are classes for everyone, from rising Kindergartners to rising 7th graders, and for all schedules.
Because camp is divided into four week-long modules, each with morning and afternoon sessions, the possibilities are endless. Your child can do soccer, cooking, science, writing, photography, puppetry, Spanish and go on an insect safari all in one summer. If you've checked out other summer camp options in the area, you'll find the prices to be very reasonable. There's also an After-Camp Fun Session so that kids can be picked up as late as 6:15pm, with drop off for morning sessions as early as 8:45am. The four week-long sessions run from July 11 - Aug. 5.
Many camps are already at capacity and a few more are close. We have already cancelled camps that had no registrations. Register soon to be sure your children can get in the camps you want, and please pass along our camp information to other families you know. We would love to have kids from other schools register too!
Naomi Sweet and Kurt Kohls are excited to welcome your child and make sure everything runs smoothly. You can email summerquest@chesterbrookpta.org if you have any questions.
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| PTA ONLINE AUCTION A HUGE SUCCESS!! | |
Here's What Julia and Bob Nelson's Living Room
Looked Like Just Before Auction Item Pickup Day
Thanks to a few people who worked many hours for several months, the auction was a huge success!
Thanks to Julia Nelson for managing the entire process, entering more than 400 items, answering countless questions from bidders, keeping track of and storing 463 auction items in her living room and packaging, labeling and mailing about 50 items to winning bidders.
Roger Moskowitz deserves a HUGE thank you for procuring (or being responsible for procuring) approximately 25% of the auction items. That is well over 100 items! Roger also served as a great advisor to Julia about any and all issues that arose. I think you'd be amazed at the variety of circumstances with which they had to deal.
Delia Swigart was also instrumental in the success of the auction. Delia procured donations, helped enter auction items (which - as she will tell you - takes A LOT a lot longer than you might think!), served as an advisor, problem solver and sounding board to Julia, helped with the auction close-out process and complied and excellent post-auction summary.
Pam Freedman and Margaret Waagner proofread diligently all 463 auction items, requiring them to research a few items. They did a great job - I didn't see any mistakes, did you? Pam also helped with the close-out process, packaging and mailing auction items.
Julie Hay and Angela Glander are still at work sending thank you letters to the donors of each auction item!
Joy Molony, Maryam Redjaee, Melinda Miller, Laurie Ann Phillips and Betty Ende also worked very hard to solicit quite a few items. At one point Joy Molony was going after about 65 people/businesses, and she got most of them!
Last but not least, Roxanne Lumme was kind enough to design and stage the eye-catching display in the front hall at school.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE AUCTION! |
| FUN FAIR ALSO A BIG SUCCESS! |
Please join us in thanking our Fun Fair Team:
Fun Fair Co-Chairs, Trisha Downey and Kim Johnson, for putting on an amazing community event! Together they have worked for many months on all the details needed to plan and run the Fair, including but not limited to vendor selection, ticket pricing, contract negotiation, arrangement of custodial and police assistance for the day of the event, game selection, room logistics, management of many sub-committees, oversight of volunteer recruitment, and logistical oversight on the day of the event. Trisha and Kim's organizational and operational skills were put to good use as they ran a very smooth operation and put on a very fun and successful Fun Fair!
- Holley Remer, Line Corvari and Greg Brandon for recruiting student volunteers and Gretchen Van der Veer who handled the adult volunteers the day of the Fair.
- Kim Osborne and Kathy Jurado Munoz for Balloon Auction.
- Maria Huppe and Jennifer Barrett and all the Room Parents for coordinating the recruitment of volunteers to run the Fair.
- Celeste Miller and Caroline Hacker for co-chairing the Teacher Raffle Operations with Stephanie Dillman.
- Ann-Marie Turnage for taking care of wristband and ticket presales, which helped get the kids to their favorite activities quickly without waiting in line.
- Gretchen Govan and Maria Karl for another great job with the Class Basket Raffle.
- Beth Raymond and Kady Ashley for managing the food sales operation and cafeteria volunteers.
- Joy Molony for the Whole Foods donations.
- Gina Manning and Kelly Telep for their gorgeous presentation of the Bake Sale and Betty Ende for managing Cake Walk.
- Margee Clancy for bagging the candy and putting items in the tennis ball cans for the Guesstimates.
- Vicki Gilmer for stocking Pick-A-Pocket vests and Alexa Barnett for managing the Lollipop Trees.
- Brigette Peterson for coordinating the volunteer lunch.
- Brigitte Trono and Candace Stromberg for running the Prize Room.
- Diane Ross and Carmen Oatway for making the many signs to keep the crowd informed and moving in the right direction.
- Beth Mahood for running the backroom operation with the help of a crack team of accountants.
- Judy Williams for organizing a great selection of Vendors for our Fun Fair Market area.
- Melinda Mullet for ordering the cute Chesterbrook Chipmunk Tattoo and organizing the ever so popular Face Painting, Tattoo and Nail Room.
- Julie Hay and Jen Nance for overseeing our new Kindergarten area.
- And finally, thanks to the many parent and student volunteers from McLean HS and Longfellow MS and Chesterbrook who helped with setup, ticket sales, face painting, running games, redeeming prizes, selling food, and finally clean-up. We couldn't do this without you!
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| AND, THERE ARE MORE THANK YOUS! |
Thanks to our Wonderful, Dedicated Staff Members
- Principal Bob Fuqua and Assistant Principal Michelle Paper for enthusiastically opening the school to our community and being willing to take on jobs both before and during the Fun Fair. You make a great announcer, Bob!
- Debbie Pereira and Linda Barnard for their incredibly cheerful attitude throughout the planning and pre-implementation stages which included lots of deliveries and interruptions to their daily routines.
- Nancy Thomas for managing the FCPS contracts for us.
- Marsha Moseley for managing the SCA Station.
- Nicole Hauser, Stephanie Dillman, Amy Vallath, Tiffany Pereira, Mary Johnson, Leslie Dickerson, Amy Keefer, Ruth Ott, Rebekah Marsh, Naomi Sweet, Julie Brown, Joyce Visnick, Christy He, Catherine Navarro, Julie Brown, Alison Johnson, Molly Massey, Sarah Friedman, Rachel Warbelow, Madelyn Reid, Sue King, and Darcy Kelly for your help with Balloon Raffle and Pick-a-pocket.
- Kurt Kohls for your help with the Friday set up!
- All the staff who loaned us their rooms and donated time and materials for the Teacher Raffle Baskets.
- Isabel Mancilla, Al Nascimi, and Aydalina Aquilar for helping us transform the school into a Fun Fair and back into a school again!
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| SPOTLIGHT |
Getting to Know the Student Council
By: Elizabeth Ende
I thought Chesterbrook families would be interested in learning more about Chesterbrook's Student Council (SCA). The SCA's purpose is to "demonstrate high standards of respect for fellow students, adults, and property; represent the views of the student body; provide services and activities for the school and community; provide leadership training and experience for the students; and maintain excellence in school spirit and cooperation."
In June, the Chesterbrook ES student body elects four officers to represent them in the coming year. Students have a great time campaigning for office and get to learn about the political process of an election including how to promote a candidacy. This year's officers are: Bobby Trono, President, Sam Gollob, Vice President, Will Boinest, Secretary and Spencer Lukehart, Treasurer.
Their faculty advisor is Chesterbrook's Media Specialist, Marsha Moseley. As the SCA advisor, Mrs. Moseley supervises the monthly meetings and buys the supplies for pencil sales. She also coordinates the election each spring, which includes making up the election schedule and carrying out the steps, such as filming candidate speeches.
This year, the SCA has conducted a canned food drive for the Salvation Army; collected toys for Toys for Tots and personal hygiene items for the SHARE Food Network and they hope to conduct a food drive for Food for Others. The SCA has also chosen themes and promoted a variety of School Spirit Days including: Twin Day, Wacky Hair Day, Wacky Day, Team Spirit Day and tomorrow's "Favorite Color Day".
The SCA earns most of its money from pencil sales on Tuesday and Friday mornings before the second bell. With their profits they buy something useful for the school, in consultation with Mr. Fuqua. Past gifts have included rugs for the lobby, a flatscreen monitor for the office, and payment toward the timeline mural in the library.
The SCA is also focused on environmental issues. They would like to see the school set up recycling bins for water bottles around the school and use recycled trays and milk cartons. |
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MORE ON THE SCA EXPERIENCE |
President, Bobby Trono, is a 6th grader. Bobby is an active kid who loves sports including: basketball, tennis and diving. He also loves theater and has been in several productions at Encore Children's Theater. Bobby got his start with the Student Council in 5th grade when he was elected Vice President of the SCA. As this year's SCA president, Bobby is working hard to define the role of the President. He does not think that becoming SCA President should be a popularity contest. The President should have a working role. He conducted a survey at the Fun Fair to collect information to see if the changes implemented this year were liked by the students. Bobby has suggested that future SCA Presidents should work closely with the Fun Fair Committee. One of Bobby's ideas is to implement a "Buddy" system for students who are new to Chesterbrook. The proposal would match current students and their families with new students to make their transition easier.
Bobby says he likes the "Buddy" system because "It helps to have a friend at a new school and it means you never leave anyone out."
Vice President, Sam Gollob is a 5th grader and also an avid athlete He plays a variety of sports, but loves swimming the most. He says school is awesome! He has enjoyed serving as Vice President of the SCA and loves running the pencil sales. He has enjoyed his experience so much he hopes to serve as President next year.
Sam told me "Recycling is a habit we should all get used to like brushing our teeth or walking our dogs. I believe the SCA could help our school do a much better job with recycling at lunch and in the classrooms."
Secretary, Will Boinest, is a 6th grader and is also an avid athlete and plays travel soccer, tennis, wrestles, plays basketball and dives during the summer. Will started with Student Council as Treasurer in 5th grade. Now, as Secretary, he enjoys his responsibility of taking notes and reviewing the minutes at each meeting. In addition to being on the SCA, Will is one of the safety patrol captains and, last year, he had the honor of being named Patrol of the Year. He takes his responsibility seriously and understands the importance of being a good role model for younger students.
Will says "Spirit days are a fun and great way to express yourself!"
Treasurer, Spencer Lukehart, is a 5th grader.. Spencer loves sports, especially lacrosse, water polo, football, swimming, skiing and snowboarding. When he hangs out with his buddies, he likes being the funny guy and telling a lot of jokes. This is the first year that Spencer has been part of SCA. The most important job for the Chestebrook Treasurer is running the pencil sales, along with the Vice President. He and his partner, Sam Gollob, always try and add some flare to the twice-a-week pencil sale by wearing creative costumes. The sales have been very successful this year and he challenges the next treasurer and vice president to beat an intake of $99.23 for one day. Spencer has also learned that being good at math is an important skill for a treasurer. He is enjoying SCA so much that next year he hopes to continue in the role of Secretary.
Spencer reports, "I have learned that you have to be a great campaigner; be friendly to everyone. I also learned a lot about giving speeches. It's important to speak clearly and make your speech stand out compared to others. And keep people's attention with some humor." |
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FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN UPDATE |
Your Help is Needed To Make FDK Happen
By: Nancy Trainer
Now that the School Board has voted unanimously to direct Superintendent Dale to plan for complete Full Day Kindergarten implementation within three years, our attention shifts to the Board of Supervisors. In order to increase Chesterbrook's chances of seeing Full Day Kindergarten as soon as possible -- perhaps as early as this fall -- we need to obtain the funding to make it happen. Fairfax County has cut education funding by $50 million since 2009. At the same time class sizes have increased, fees have been added, and programs we value have been cut. Teacher pay has also been frozen for two years. If we are to see Full Day Kindergarten sooner rather than later, the Board of Supervisors needs to support our schools financially. Please join an education rally at the Fairfax County Budget Hearing on Tuesday, March 29 starting at 5:30 p.m., at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Wear WHITE to cheer for Full Day Kindergarten. We know in times of scarcity, our children's education must be our #1 priority. We need to show the Board we mean business, so please come. |
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TAKE PART IN FAIRFAX COUNTY AND FCPS BUDGET PROCESS |
By: Laurie Plishker
The FY2012 budget process is underway in Fairfax County, and budgets are still tight. The Fairfax County Council of PTAs is asking us to raise our collective PTA voices in support of Fairfax schools. Together, we can make a difference.
Attached are several documents advocating for various programs, including an FCCPTA Action Alert with details about how members can get engaged in the budget process to support Fairfax schools by attending the local "town hall meetings," signing up to testify on March 29th, 30th, or 31st, attending the Education Rally on March 29th, and contacting their Supervisors. Other documents are Proposed FCCPTA Resolutions on: (1) Support for K-12 Education, (2) Support for Full Day Kindergarten, (3) Support for Real Food for Kids, and (4) Support for Safe Routes to School. The FCCPTA has asked PTA presidents to attend a meeting on Tuesday, March 29th to represent our PTA's views on these various initiatives. Please send any thoughts you have on any of these to Laurie Plishker at president@chesterbrookpta.org by the 29th. The Executive Officers will discuss these issues, but we'd like to have some broader input as well. Thank you. |
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CHESTERBROOK ART AT MCA ART SHOW | |
Check out some of the beautiful artwork by Chesterbrook Students at the MCA Art Show. Mrs. Kodsi and Mrs. Gottke, Chesterbrook's Art Teachers, worked with teachers from eight McLean area schools to exhibit hundreds of students' artwork for the March display. In addition to painting, there were wire sculptures, drawings, clay pottery and sculptures, paper sculpture, a variety of types of printmaking and a mural from each school.   |
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YoKid CHALLENGE 2011:
How Many Sun Salutations Can YOU Do? |
Chesterbrook Families are invited to participate in the YoKid Challenge on Sunday, April 10th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center ~ 25 West Reed Avenue ~ in Alexandria.
The YoKid Challenge is open to children and adults of all ages. No yoga experience is required. The event begins with a vision and goal setting exercise by lululemon athletica followed by Sun Salutation A, performed in 4 sets of 27 with rest periods in between. The event ends with light snacks and a healthy eating presentation. The first 100 participants will receive a free yoga mat! Visit YoKid Challenge 2011 to register for the event, view the rules and download a pledge form.
YoKid... stretch your limits is a nonprofit organization that provides low/no cost yoga to students in the greater DC area. Students who participate in the YoKid program engage in physical and mental activities that promote their overall social, emotional, and academic growth. Your attendance at this event directly supports YoKid's efforts to bring the benefits of yoga and meditation to more youth! All donations are tax deductible. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
March 25 SCA Spirit Day "Favorite Color"
March 29, 5:30 PM Fairfax County Budget Hearing
March 29, 7 PM Internet Safety Program, Churchill Rd ES
March 30, 7 PM Internet Safety Program, Freedom Hill
April 1 End of Third Quarter
April 4 Teacher Work Day, Student Holiday
April 6, 7 PM "How to Thrive at Longfellow"
April 10, 2 PM YoKid Challenge 2011
April 12, 8:30 am PTA meeting
April 12, 2 pm Principal's Coffee
April 18-22 Spring Break
April 24 Secretaries Appreciation Week |
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HOW TO THRIVE AT LONGFELLOW MS | |
If you are the parent of a rising 7th grader, you are invited to a FREE parent program on "How to Thrive at Longfellow" on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 7 - 9 p.m. The program will be held in the new Longfellow Lecture Hall and is intended to give parents of rising 7th graders insights into the world of middle school and the teenage mind.
Speakers will address:
· An overview of Longfellow Middle School
· Adolescent Development in Context
· High-Risk Behaviors and Protective Factors
· Helping Your Student be Successful
· What You Need to Know as a Longfellow Parent
· Click HERE For The Rising 7th Grade Information Pamphlet
No preregistration is required. This program is being presented by Longfellow Middle School and the Longfellow PTA. If you have any questions about this program, please e-mail one of the parent coordinators: Jennifer Salopek, jjsalopek@cox.net or Katie Hanusik, Hanusik@msn.com Don't miss this great opportunity to give your student a leg up at Longfellow! |
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VIENNA BAND CAMP NOW REGISTERING | |
Largest band camp in Northern Virginia with over 400 students!
Our 31st Annual Summer Band Camp!
M-F 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
June 27 to July 21, 2011
________________________
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road
- Special program for beginning students
- Free band camp t-shirt for each student
- Class lessons with instrumental specialists
- Four different band levels grouped by ability
- Free final evening concert - all bands (July 21)
Camp Fee: $205 for all four weeks!
You can view and print the Band Camp Application from the Announcements Section of your child's Blackboard Account http://fcps.blackboard.com
Questions? Email Chesterbrook Instrumental Music Specialists, Allison Parrell and Deidra Denson, at AKOdmark@fcps.edu or DMDenson@fcps.edu |
| ADVERTISING GUIDELINES | If you would like to include an ad in the Chronicle, please email editor@chesterbrookpta.org In keeping with our goal to support the Chesterbrook community, classified ads must be relevant and fit within these guidelines.
- Ads will be placed on a space available, first come first served basis. We reserve the right to edit or refuse any classified ad.
- Ads are offered free of charge to Chesterbrook students, staff, parents, or alumni.
- For businesses not associated with Chesterbrook students, staff, parents, or alumni, we only consider ads that have an educational value or would be of benefit to our member community. A $10 donation to the PTA is requested with each ad.
Disclaimer: The posting of advertising on this site does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the Chesterbrook PTA of the advertiser. The content of all advertisements is that of the advertiser alone and the Chesterbrook PTA does not assume responsibility for such content nor does it verify the accuracy of or exert editorial control over such content. The decision to view and/or act upon any advertising is that of the viewer and the Chesterbrook PTA shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused by or associated in any way with such advertising or any action taken in connection therewith. |
Mommy Relief
Any time of day - Any day of the week
Professional - Reliable - Newborn Caregivers
We help with siblings too!
Let us help you get your life in order!
Visit:
www.mommy-relief.com
703-532-MOMS (6667) |
We Pick Up After School!
SMARTplay is a unique, after school youth enrichment program based on the discipline of Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do adapted into a fun learning environment for children. Our program combines fitness and wellness for children, incorporating physical activity with interactive learning designed to empower children to excel academically, athletically, and in life.
SMARTplay is a licensed martial arts school, not a day care center.
For more information, please call Chun Rhee
703-237-7433 (Mon -Fri 3 to 7 pm)
SMARTplayFC@gmail.com
www.SMARTplayFC.com |
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Write & Read Right!
Fairfax County 7th Grade English Teacher available
to tutor 4th grade through 6th grade students. *Expand your child's writing skills *Strengthen their reading comprehension *Increase their vocabulary *Improve their grammar and spelling *Prepare them for the SOLs Contact Mary Kay Folk at 703-801-7188 or email Mary.Folk@fcps.edu
I have been teaching 7th grade English for 17 years. I have a Master's Degree in Reading and a Master's Degree in English; in addition, I have endorsements in Gifted Education and as a Reading Specialist. I can tutor students at the local library or in the convenience of your home.
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Artworks Studio B
Offering art camps in
Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media
In these camps, students are taught to be
keen observers as they develop art skills.
Now Enrolling for
Summer Art Camps with Sue Bikoff
Master of Fine Arts Degree, Exhibiting
Artist in U.S. and Overseas, 26 years of
teaching experience in universities and
magnet art schools.
Call or email now to enroll
703-790-0671
sue@artworksstudiob.com
www.artworksstudiob.com |
Chesterbrook Chronicle Newsletter Disclaimer The Chesterbrook PTA Chronicle Newsletter may contain external links to non-Chesterbrook ES PTA web sites and access to certain third-party services, which may include, without limitation, social bookmarking services. These external links and services are provided as a convenience, and the Chesterbrook ES PTA is not responsible for the content of any linked web site or use of any third-service service. Any external link to a non-Chesterbrook ES PTA web site or service accessed from the Chesterbrook PTA Chronicle Newsletter is independent from the Chesterbrook ES PTA, and the Chesterbrook ES PTA has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policy, terms of use and practices of such web site or service. Any such web site or service has terms of use and a privacy policy different from the Chesterbrook ES PTA's privacy policy. In addition, an external link to any non-Chesterbrook ES PTA web site or access to a third-party service does not imply that the Chesterbrook ES PTA endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content or use of such web site or service. By using any such web site or service, you expressly release the Chesterbrook ES PTA from any liability arising from your use of such third-party web site and service and any related content. |
The Chesterbrook Chronicle is published monthly by the Chesterbrook Elementary School PTA. Please submit news or questions to:
Elizabeth Ende, Editor
editor@chesterbrookpta.org
Thank you for your contributions to this and future issues! |
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