“Only The Best Is Good Enough”
Produced By: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA)
Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased)
New Market P.O., Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica, West Indies
E-mail: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com
Officers: Glenis Daley, President, Victor Smith, Vice President
Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer, Newsletter Editor/Producer
Ann Hamilton, Assistant Secretary
OBJECTIVE
The objective of BOSA Newsletter is to inform and educate the people in Beersheba Primary School Community and all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora by means of clean and wholesome news. In doing so, the Newsletter will continue to highlight and celebrate their achievements, mourn their losses, defend their rights and articulate their needs. With meticulous calculated professional news reporting, the Newsletter will ceaselessly expose the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non-response and pussy-footing that has characterized the unscrupulous tyrannical oligarchy rule that is tarnished with nepotism that is designed to frustrate Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) as it continues to work assiduously as the safety net and mentor for voiceless and vulnerable students who reside in the impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community from falling through the cracks cognizant of the fact, that had it not been for intervention of the Association, these students would be left alone to fend for themselves contrary to the vision of James “Dick” Richards, (1872-1965), Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Philanthropist and Icon.
REFLECTION ON BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI THAT HAVE PASSED ON
In keeping with the decision of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) to support a paperless friendly environment and go green, effective from Volume 16 of its newsletter, the Association will no longer list in its newsletter the names of Beersheba Primary School Alumni that have passed on.
All Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and all our other readers who are accustomed to see the names of those that have passed on listed in its newsletter, are asked to visit BOSA website: bosaonline.org where information is listed in full detains and it will be updated periodically.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to express its sincere condolence to all family members and relatives of the deceased as they continue to grieve and mourn the loss of their love ones. May the memories of these bereaved love ones continue to linger in our heart and subliminal consciousness. Sunset in one land is sunrise in another.
DECISION TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) AND THE MANAGING COMMITTEE FOR JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND RE SHANISA JONES, NOW ATTENDING UTECH IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA .
BOSA is pleased to provide an update to its comments on the above subject matter as they were written on page 1 of 12 and 2 of 12 in Volume 14 July 2013 of its Newsletter.
At an impromptu meeting convened by the Head Office of the Ministry of Education in Kingston at its Regional 5 office in Mandeville on May 7, 2016 to which the Secretary/Treasurer of BOSA was invited, the meeting that was Chaired by Ms. Latoya Davis, from the Internal Audit Department of the Ministry and was also attended by Ms. Masie Hamilton from that Department and Mrs. Tatlin E. Smith-Williams, Principal Beersheba Primary School – and which Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour, Chairman School Board Beersheba Primary School did not attend as she also did when the first meeting was held at the Head Office of the Ministry on March 13, 2013 – the following decisions were taken:
- All accounting records pertaining to James Richards Educational Trust Fund which the Principal Beersheba Primary School was requested to hand over to Internal Auditors from the Ministry of Education at the meeting will be audited.
- Four (4) queries raised by BOSA in its email message dated November 22, 2015 to Dr. Maurice D. Smith, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in which the Association sought inter alia to ascertain if the signatures on James Richards Educational Trust Fund Account at The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (Black River) are the same ones that Bermuda Trust Company (Former Trustee for the Fund) authorized in the legal document; Deed of Appointment And Termination James Richards Educational Trust Fund dated October 24, 2011 by which the former Trustee transferred the balance in the Fund to The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (Black River Branch) to be managed by Beersheba Primary School (New Trustee) will be pursued.
- Point made by BOSA that decisions taken by meeting held at Beersheba Primary School under the Chairmanship of then Mrs. Nadine Leachman, Regional Director, Region 5, Ministry of Education on November 16, 20111 and March 6, 2012 were ultra vires because persons who attended the meeting purporting to be members of the School Board at Beersheba Primary School were not appointed by the Minister of Education on the recommendation of National Council on Education and the Board was therefore illegal
- Claims submitted in favour of BOSA, Shanisa Jones and Vincent Samuels to the Chairman of the School Board at Beersheba Primary School seeking reimbursement of expenses from James Richards Educational Trust Fund for Shanisa Jones, qualified beneficiary of the Fund will be further examined in keeping with the legitimate directive given to Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour, Chairman of the School Board by Mrs. Elaine Foster-Allen, then Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education at the meeting that was held at the Ministry’s Head office in Kingston on March 13, 2013.
- Written outcome of all deliberations taken on the matter will be sent to BOSA. For the latest update on the above subject matter that is still outstanding and has not been resolved, our readers are asked to news article captioned: Entrenched Culture of School Board At Beersheba Primary School And Ministry of Education is An Impediment To James Richards Educational Trust Fund that was posted at BOSA website bosaonline.org on November 16, 2016.
PROGRESS REPORT ON SHANISA JONES, NICKAYLA STEVENS, AND DAMANIKE SMITH
SHANISA JONES
Shanisa Jones continues her academic excellence as a student enrolled at the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus.
NICK AYLA STEVENS
Nickayla Stevens, despite her gripe over the volume of work that she has to do in Lower Six Form at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School, continues to do well Nickayla has been reminded repeatedly that when she is admitted to College/University, her course workload is not going to get any lighter.
DAMANIKE SMITH
Damanike Smith Continues to maintain her academic excellence as an enrolled student at HEART/NTA, Black River Campus.
MEET SAMEIKA MAITLAND BOSA ADOPTED ACHIEVER AND TRAILBLAZER
Sameika Maitland, financially challenged grade 8, Form 3 boarding student at Hampton School, Malvern, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies for whom Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is safety net and monitor, received the Silver Award and recognition as a member of the Headmistress Round Table as commendation for her excellent academic performance for 2014/2015 school year. (Please view and read the news article that is posted on BOSA web page about Sameika’s achievement).
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-Wishers, Visitors to BOSA website and Readers of this newsletter in Jamaica and the Diaspora who would like to assist Sameika Maitland defray the cost of her boarding and tuition fees at Hampton School, should make checks (cheques) or money orders payable to Munro & Dickenson Trust – Hampton School and send them indicating that their donations is for Sameika Maitland, student ID 2923 to:
Mrs. Svetlana Crawford-Keane
Bursar Hampton School
Malvern P.O.
Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica West Indies
Please notify BOSA by email: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com to let the association know that your donations have been sent to the Bursar so that they can be reconciled with her and promptly acknowledged.
Sameika Maitland continues her excellent academic performance at Hampton School with her End of Year 2015/2016 Report showing that she achieved a grade of 82.8 which is A grade at her school.
BOSA INVALUABLE, BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI, HONORARY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to place on record and express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to those Beersheba Primary School Alumni – including Winston and Sheila Hamilton, Roy Holness, Kenneth Smith, Dr. Trevor Hamilton, Dorette Lind, Nora Lawrence, Winston Hamilton, Neville “Butty” Cooke, Professor Patrick Brown, Merlene Holness-Pryce et al for their invaluable financial support that they continue to give to the Association.
NEED FOR GSAT STUDENTS GRADUATING BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
Against the backdrop of information given on page 2 of 10 Volume 15 October 2013 under the above heading, and in light of recent announcements made by the Ministry of Education with respect to the introduction and provision of Computer Tablets to each student at the Primary Level, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) met with the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) on December 4, 2013 to discuss the way forward regarding this matter.
Decision taken at this meeting at which four (4) additional items that were used as terms of reference for this meeting, is that the Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will take appropriate action to contact Stephen Curran, Network Design Director at Digicel Group, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies regarding his interest that he has indicated to Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) to provide Wireless Broadband Internet Service to the school notwithstanding the fact that his knowledge of the terrain in the area could be challenging to provide service to the school.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has not received any information from the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) with respect to the outcome of the contact that the Board is expected to make with Stephen Curran, Network Design Director at Digicel Group.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is hopeful that with the appointment of a new School Board at Beersheba Primary School, that the Chairman Rev. Christopher Euphfa, Moravian Minister at Beersheba Moravian Church will take the initiative to ensure that the offer from Digicel Group is pursued in the interest and welfare of the students that are enrolled at the school.
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS OF BOSA
The Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased), has granted Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) permission to continue holding its bi-monthly general meeting in the main auditorium of the school.
Meetings are held in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School bi-monthly on the second Friday commencing at 4:00 p.m.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH BOSA SUPPORT FUND FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BOSA Members, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and other Beersheba Primary School Old Students who have not yet heard but who through the help of other Old Students, and this News Letter,
will be made aware of BOSA existence and the work that the Association has been doing in the interest and welfare of students at Beersheba Primary School, are urged to make Checks(Cheques)Money Orders for their generous financial contribution to BOSA Support Fund payable to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION and is to be mailed to: Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at 99 Jacaranda Avenue, Flat Rocks Subdivision, Black River P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies. All donations received will be promptly acknowledged in writing on BOSA official letter head.
Persons living in Jamaica, West Indies may deposit their generous financial contribution to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Savings Account No. 5501336655 at any Branch of Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited and advise the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association when the deposit has been made so that such contributions can be promptly acknowledged in writing.
MEET THE ACHIEVERS AND TRAILBLAZERS
No profile has been received from anyone to be posted under the above heading in this newsletter.
Editor’s Note: If Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora would like to see themselves being featured under this heading, Alumni who have not yet responded to appeals made in BOSA Newsletters to send the Editor/Producer their curriculum vitae, academic, and communal profile as an attachment to the Association’s e-mail address: beershebaoldstudentsassn.@gmail.com as soon as possible so that they can be published in Volume 18 as well as future Volumes of the Newsletter.
RESOLUTION TO RENAME BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL JAMES RICHARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
As a result of the above subject matter being thoroughly discussed with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in a meeting that was held at the Ministry’s Head Office in Kingston, Jamaica west Indies on March 13, 2013, and the matter being given full support by the Saint Elizabeth Parish Council, South Coast Resort Board and Jamaica Heritage Trust Foundation, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is hopeful that with the full backing of the entities named herein,the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will do the right thing so that James “Dick” Richards, Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Icon and Philanthropist will be officially recognized and honoured as an integral part of the heritage in Beersheba School Community.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
The National Council on Education (NCE) has published the names of the following persons whom the Honourable Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid has appointed to serve on the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government School), New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies for 2016/2017 Academic School Year:
Chairman: Rev. Christopher Euphfa
Principal: Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams
Academic Member: Mrs. Naomi Foster-Brooks
PTA Member: Nickesha Lawrence
Community Member: Mr. Valdes Hamilton
Member 1: Mr. Michael Morgan
THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to announce that Harry Archer of New Savannah, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies and a member of the graduating class of 2015 at Beersheba Primary School, is the first qualified beneficiary that has satisfied the criterion of 85 average to benefit from Elesa Hamilton Scholarship Programme.
Harry Archer – an orphan who is currently under the care giving and guidance of Angella Balds – began attending Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) where the Ministry of Education placed him as a grade 7 student on the basis of his performance in the 2015 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
Harry Archer whose tuition fee of JMD 24,000.00 was paid by the scholarship programme was provided with three (3) suits of khaki uniforms and school supplies by Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA).
Cognizant of the strict criteria by which the scholarship programme is administered, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has arranged for Vincent Brown, Retired Trained Teacher at Beersheba Primary School to monitor Harry Archer in his school work so as to ensure that he will consistently maintain 85 average that will enable him to continue to benefit from the scholarship programme.
Because of the students Psychological Profile, BOSA Secretary/Treasurer met with Mr. Shields, Harry Archer’s Form Teacher who decided that he will make Mrs. Levy, Head of Guidance Counseling
Department aware of his challenges so that further intervention – including home visit – can be arranged to provide him with additional support that he needs.
GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS
“The greatest monuments we build on this earth are not the buildings we build but the lives we touch.”
Senator Hillary Clinton, USA Presidential Candidate speaking at the Al Smith Dinner at Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Manhattan, New York, USA on October 19, 2016.
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“The graveyard is full of indispensable me.”
The late Charles Degaulle former President of France.
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“If you would like to keep your children’s feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
Ralston McKenzie, RJR Sunday Contact Host, October 30, 2016.
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BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
STAYING HEALTHY AND ACTIVE THROUGHOUT YOUR GOLDEN YEARS – Dr. Indira Molai, M.D.
Today seniors are more vibrant, healthier, and living longer than ever before. If you have a goal to lead an active lifestyle well into your golden years, then it’s important to take care of your health, including both body and mind. Let’s start by planning your strategy for wellness and prevention.
HEART HEALTH
According to the American Heart Association (AHA}, heart-related disease still remains the leading cause of death among Americans, taking more than 2,500 lives per day. The good news is, the risk of heart disease can be lowered significantly by being active, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and getting regularly screened for risk factors.
What you can do:
Eat heart healthy foods: The AHA recommends eating fish which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, at least twice a week. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation that can cause damage to your blood vessels, decrease triglycerides, lower blood pressure, support healthy blood flow, replace irregular heartbeats and decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke. The best sources are fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, lake trout, salmon, sardines and tuna.
- Control Cholesterol levels: High Cholesterol contributes to plaque, which can block arteries. Good cholesterol levels for adults range 200mg/dL or lower, borderline cholesterol levels range from between 200-239 mg/dL or higher. Lowering cholesterol may be assayer than you think. Try losing 5-10 pounds and exercising regularly Simple activities, such as vacuuming or gardening, can burn calories and keep circulation flowing.
- Don’t smoke: Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Consult your Primary Care Physician if you need help to quit smoking.
Reduce salt intake: Reducing salt by 10% may reduce high blood pressure which could help prevent a stroke.
BRAIN HEALTH
Do you occasionally experience “seniors moments” like misplacing your keys, or forgetting the reason you get up to do something? Most minor memory lapses are a normal part of healthy aging. The good news is its entirely possible to keep your brain sharp and focused. Be sure to let your Primary Care Physician know if memory loss is beginning to interfere with your daily living activities.
What can you do?
Maintain a healthy heart. Physical activity promotes healthy blood for which in turn, benefits both your heart and your brain. Moreover, studies have shown a correlation between lower activity levels and greater cognitive decline. Get regular exercise to protect your cardiovascular as well as your cognitive health.
- Stay mentally active. Just as exercise helps keep your body in shape, mentally stimulating activities help keep your brain in shape and may slow down memory loss. Do crossword puzzles; take a different route when driving home. Learn a new language or how to play a musical instrument.
SOCIALIZE REGULARY
It’s easy to get depressed when you spend too much time alone. To ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss and opportunities to socialize with friends and loved ones. Accept invitations. Volunteer at your local community center.
- Sleep well. Proper sleep will help consolidate your memories, so you can recall them later. Contrary to popular belief, older adults require 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day to function optimally.
- Get organized. Jot down appointments and tasks in a special calendar planner. Create to-do lists and check off items as you have completed them. More importantly, pick a special place in the house to keep your wallet and keys along with other essentials.
BONE HEALTH
Bones make up our bodies framework and, together with our muscles, make movement possible. They also protect vital organs and store calcium. Therefore, keeping your bones healthy and strong is key for maintaining an active lifestyle.
Our bone health naturally declines as we get older, up to half of old adults suffer from either osteoporosis (low bone mineral density, or bone mass} or osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones). Postmenopausal women, especially, have a high risk to develop osteoporosis because their rate of bone loss rises sharply after menopause. Within 5 to 7 years of menopause, a woman can lose up to 20% of her bone mass, and after age 50, have a 50% risk of osteoporosis related fracture.
What you can do:
Increase calcium intake. Low calcium levels can diminish bone density and lead to premature bone loss. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for people ages 51-70 is 1,200 mg a day for women and 1,000 mg a day for men. Good dietary sources of calcium include low or non-fatty dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale and sardines.
- Include Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. For adults, the RDA of Vitamin D is 600international units (IUs) a day. The recommendation increases to 800 IUs daily for seniors 71 years and older.Good dietary sources of Vitamin D include egg yolk, fortified milk, oily fish, such as tuna and sardines. And be sure to spend at least ten minutes a day outdoors; your body naturally manufactures Vitamin D from sunshine.
DISCOVERY OF SLAVE BURIAL GROUND AT PAYNES TOWN, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA WEST INDIES
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) again invites readers of its Newsletter to log in to its website: bosaonline.org to read and view photographs related to the above captioned news article that is published on its web page.
Mrs. Elvie Miller , 79 year old widow (owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located) and her daughter Mrs. Madge Mullings who reside on the same property, is awaiting the visit from Archaeologists from the History and Archaeological Department of the university of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica West Indies and Jamaica National Heritage Trust to take over, preserve and secure the site where the mortal remains of Hon. John Salmon, former Custos Rotulorum for Saint Elizabeth and President of the Legislative Council in Jamaica, Samuel John Manley, grandfather of Norman Washington Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Jamaican National Hero and myriad African Ancestors are buried.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and Paynes Town/New Market Community anxiously await the visit of Archaeologists from the History and Archaeology Department University of the West Indies (Mona campus), Jamaica National Heritage Trust to fulfill their written commitments to visit the historic site with a view to preserve and secure the site and declare it a National Heritage Site.
As a result of the significant discovery of the Slave Burial Ground, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) in anticipation of New Market – including Carr District, birthplace of James “Dick” Richards – being declared a National Heritage Site by Jamaica National Heritage Trust – has written to the Ministry of Youth and Culture (copied to other related Government Ministries, Agencies and Quasi Agencies and Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, Member of parliament NW Saint Elizabeth and Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Commerce and Agriculture requesting that favourable consideration is given to refurbish the Old New Market Police Station into a Museum that will be managed by a trained professional Curator.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is delighted to inform readers of its Newsletter that as a result of representation that the Association made to Government Ministries and Agencies to rid the Old Police Station at New Market of Squatters who had illegally occupied the building, that the building has been repossessed and the entire premises is being cleaned and cleared of thick overgrowth and vegetation. The Association looks forward to the building being turned into a museum and the monument that was built on the site and dedicated in a civic ceremony on the night when Jamaica gained Independence from Great Britain refurbished.
BOSA DEVOTIONAL
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even on a cross! Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)
Editor’s Note: We wish to remind our readers that as part of its vision to contribute to a paper free environment as well as to use Information Technology (IT) to minimize cost, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) will no longer circulate its Newsletters by Post Office and hand delivery. Effective immediately, BOSA Newsletters will be posted quarterly on its website: bosaonline.org. It is my sincere wish that all our readers will have a Peaceful, Blessed and Spirit-filled summer.
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