“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”
Shanisa Jones with teacher and Class mates at UTECH
Bosa Newsletter Volume 32, January 2018
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, 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.
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, 2011 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 additional 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.
Following non response to letters that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) sent to Mrs. Barbara Allen, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, and another letter that the Association sent to the Acting Permanent Secretary in which 14 days ultimatum was given with indication that if no response is received, the Association will not be left with any other alternative but to seek redress in Court where the Association will be Plaintiff and the School Board at Beersheba Primary School and the Ministry of Education will be Defendants.
Acting on recommendation that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) received from a learned Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, BOSA brought the unresolved outstanding contentious matter by registered letter to Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Education asking him to intervene and amicably resolve the matter. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has not received any acknowledgment or response from the Minister of Education up to the date on which its quarterly newsletter is being prepared for publication.
Editor’s Note: As a final attempt to settle the foregoing matter amicably without going to Court where Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) will be Plaintiff and the School Board at Beersheba Primary School and the Ministry of Education will be Defendant, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has written to the present Chairman Beersheba Primary School Board Rev. Christopher Eupha requesting that a meeting is held between December 28, 2017 to January 31, 2018 at which time, the Association is expecting to be told when all outstanding amounts will be paid in full so that closure can be brought to what has been characterized as a very contentious matter.
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 has been successful in passing subjects in CSEC and CXC Examination. Nickayla moved on to Upper Six Form at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School on September 4, 2017.
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 10, Form 5 boarding student at Hampton School, Malvern, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies for whom Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is safety net and monitor, continues her excellent academic performance as an A student. (Please view and read the news article that is posted on BOSA webpage 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 send their generous financial contribution by wire transfer payable to:
Munro & Dickenson Trust – Hampton School
National Commercial Bank
Santa Cruz
Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica West Indies
Account No. 891007604
indicating that payment is for Sameika Maitland, Student ID 2923.
Should any of you desire to contact the Bursar at Hampton School regarding Sameika Maitland, her contact information is as follows:
Mrs. Svetlana Crawford-Keane
Bursar Hampton School
Malvern P.O.
Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica West Indies
Telephone: 1-876-966-5161, 1-876-550-0777
Fax: 1-876-966-5115
Email: bursar.hampton@gmail.com
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 2016/2017 Final School Report showing that she achieved a grade of 82.1 which is A grade at her school. Sameika has a GPA of 3.1 has moved on to grade 10, Form 5 on September 4, 2017. She is expected to continue her excellent academic performance that will equip and enable her to sit and be successful in passing subjects that she will sit in CXC Examination in May 2018.
MEET NASHEENA DOBBS, AGE 12 YEARS, TOP PERFORMER IN 2017 GRADE SIX ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GSAT) AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to commend Nasheena Dobbs, age 12 years from the impoverished peasant district of Flint Valley for her excellent academic performance in obtaining 83% passing grade in 2017 Ministry of Education Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
Our readers are asked to log in to BOSA website: bosaonline.org to read more about Nasheena Dobbs, an Achiever and Trailblazer in the Graduating Class of 2017 at Beersheba Primary School.
Nasheena has been admitted to Mount Alvernia High School, an All Girls High School in Montego Bay, began attending classes on September 4, 2017.
Nasheena has received a lap tap computer that will enable her to keep up with her assignments in Information Technology (IT), she is doing extremely well in school. BOSA has received credible information that Nasheena received the following grades at the last marking period at Mount Alvernia High School and has now made the Honors List:
Mathematics 100
Spanish 98
Social Studies 97
Information Technology 97
Science 96
Congratulations Nasheena!! Keep up the good work.
Cash strapped though BOSA is at present, through the generosity of Sheila Hamilton and her family, the Association is pleased to announce that Nasheena has been provided with a new lap tap that will enable her to continue her excellent academic performance in Information Technology (IT). BOSA wishes to commend Nasheena that although she graduated from Beersheba Primary School as a computer illiterate, she has avail herself of the opportunity to get hands on experience in computers and Information Technology (IT) that has enable her to get a competitive advantage in her class.
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, Howard Hamilton 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
It is with great joy and long awaited accomplishment that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) announces that Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service is now available at Beersheba Primary School.
The Association wishes to commend the Administration at the school for its tenacity and innovation in bringing Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service to the school. The Association hopes that now that Information Technology (IT) is now available at Beersheba Primary School, that the Administration will take appropriate action to ensure that all students that are enrolled at the school will be exposed and trained to use the technology so that no student will graduate from the school as a computer illiterate.
Beersheba Primary School Alumni who would like to contact their alma mater can so by email to: beersheba.primary.sch@moey.gov.jm
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 4:00PM.
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.
In the pursuance to ensure that James “Dick” Richards gets full recognition for using his own money to purchase the land on which the Ministry of Education built Beersheba Primary School as well his money that Bermuda Trust Company transferred to the school as New Trustee from which James Richards Educational Trust Fund is established; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) should have met with His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman of Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster and other Technocrats of the Corporation – including Councillor Solomon, Councillor for New Market Parochial Division on May 18, 2017 but the Association received information from His worship the Mayor that the meeting was postponed.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has again written to His Worship the Mayor asking him to set a new date for the meeting to be held between June 29, 2017 – July 24, 2017. Since the Association has not received any response from His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster with respected to the meeting that the Association asked that it should be held between June 29, 2017 – July 24, 2017, the Association has again written to His Worship the Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation requesting that favourable consideration is given to hold the meeting between December 28, 2017 – January 31, 2018. Outcome of the meeting will be published in Volume 32 January 2018 of the Association’s Newsletter.
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
Our readers whom Beersheba Old Students association (BOSA) assumes are familiar with issues that have resulted in Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Education asking the Chairman and few other members of the School Board at Hampton School, Malvern, Saint Elizabeth to submit their letters of resignation from the School Board effective April 1, 2017, are asked to note the remarks made by the Minister of Education as they were aired on Nationwide Radio FM 90 on February 23, 2017 that:
- All School Boards are accountable to the Minister of Education.
- All arrangements with respect to Acting Principals in schools must be brought to and authorization must be obtained from the Ministry of Education and Finance.
- Under the Education Act and other Regulations, School Boards are not Entities unto themselves but they are accountable to the Minister of Education for all their actions.
It is refreshing that the Minister of Education has sensitized School Boards to the fact that when the Minister of Education gives legitimate directives to School Boards they must not be defied and must be carried out.
BOSA assumes that as a result the retirement of Mrs. Tatlin E Smith-Williams as Principal Beersheba Primary School, National Education Council (NCE) will take appropriate action to ensure that Mrs. Michele Sanderson, Acting Principal is brought in to fill the vacancy on the School Board.
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.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has received credible and reliable information that Harry Archer has not turned up to see Vincent Brown, Retired Trained Teacher, Beersheba Primary School for monitoring. No further information is available about Harry Archer since effort to contact him is of no avail.
GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS
“One may have everything in this world and still be miserable but when God is our source of happiness, we are truly contented.”
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“I have not allowed other people in life to define who I am.”
Hugh Hefner (1926-2017), Founder of Playboy Magazine
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“If God asks us to do something, He’ll give us strength and power to do it.”
Anne Cetas, Contributor to Our Daily Bread Devotional
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“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and that which he gives to the poor, God will pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17
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“Sometimes, though I wonder if church seems more like an exclusive club than a safe haven for forgiven sinners. As people naturally gravitate into groups of “a certain kind” and cluster around those they feel comfortable with, it leaves others truly marginalized.”
Joe Stowell, Contributor to Our Daily Bread Devotional.
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“Anger is the anesthesia for deadening the pain of stupidity.”
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“It does not matter how long I live but how I live.”
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“You want to change the world? Start off by making your bed. If you make your bed in the morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day and it will give a small sense of pride and encourage you to do another task and then another. Making up your bed will also emphasize the importance of doing little things in life. If you can’t do little things right, you will never be able to do bigger things right.”
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“A life not centred on God is without meaning and purpose.” Ecclesiastes 1:14; 2:11
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“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts as restless until they rest in You.” Augustine
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“Christian humility comes from two things. It comes, first, from the sense of creatureliness. Christians are humble because they are constantly aware of their utter dependence on God and that they can do nothing without God. It comes, second, from the fact that Christians have a new standard of comparison. It may well be that, when they compare themselves with others, they have nothing to fear from the comparison. But the standard of comparison for Christians is Christ, and compared with his sinless perfection, we can never fully measure up. When Christians remember their dependence on God and hold themselves up to the standard of Christ, they must remain humble.”
William Barclay
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BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
Our readers – especially those who are involved in the medical profession – are invited to submit reading materials to the Editor that could be used to enhance BOSA Science And Health Corner.
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.
In its email message dated June 10, 2017 addressed to Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends, Well-wishers and related Jamaica Government Ministries and Entities, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wrote quote: While Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and other Stakeholders in the impoverished peasant farming New Market Community eagerly await the visit of Archeologists from UWI History and Archeology Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust to take over, preserve and declare the Slave Burial Ground a National Heritage Site, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) invites everyone to procure and read Maureen Warner-Lewis book: ARCHIBALD MONTEATH, IGBO, JAMAICAN MORAVIAN, University of the West Indies Press 2007. Maureen Warner-Lewis book which can be purchased in various bookstores as well as at www.amazon.com will open readers eyes and help them to better understand the events that occurred on the Slave Estate at Kepp, Paynes Town, Hopeton, New Savannah and elsewhere in the Parish of Saint Elizabeth. Unquote
Continuing in the final paragraph of the email message referred to herein; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wrote quote: Libraries that lie buried below the myriad graves that have been discovered at the Slave Burial Ground at Paynes Town, must be explored and the truth with respect to the
Slave Trade that flourished in the impoverished peasant farming New Market Community accurately and meticulously documented for posterity even if it means that history has to be rewritten. Unquote
Editor’s Note: In the pursuance of getting Archaeologists from the History and Archaeology Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and Officials from Jamaica Heritage Trust Foundation and other Government Entities to honour their commitment to visit and preserve the site of the Slave Burial Ground at Paynes Town; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has again written to His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation requesting that favourable consideration is given to schedule a meeting between the Association and selected persons from the Corporation – including Councillor Solomon, the People’s Representative for New Market Parochial Division – to discuss and decide the way forward regarding this outstanding matter.
WHY IS “BLACK FRIDAY” CALLED “BLACK FRIDAY”?
The word “black” in front of a day of the week has never meant anything good. Black Monday was the sell-off the day before the stock market crash of 1929. Black Tuesday, as well as the day of an even bigger crash in 1987. Black Wednesday was used to refer to a day of widespread air traffic snarls in 1954, as well as the day the British government was forced to withdraw a battered pound from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism in 1992. Black Thursday has variously been used to describe days of devastating brush fires, bombings and athletic defeats among other unpleasantness.
So how is it the term Black Friday has come almost universally to denote joyous commercial excess, stupendous deals and big profits on the day when people head out to shop for holidays after Thanksgiving?
It wasn’t always this way. The New York Times first used the term Black Friday in an article in 1870 to refer to the day the gold market collapsed the year before.
Ben Zimmer, executive producer of Vocabulary.com who has researched and written about the term, says its association with shopping the day after Thanksgiving began in Philadelphia in the 1960s. – and even then, the reference wasn’t positive.
The local police took to calling the day Black Friday because they had to deal with bad traffic and other miseries connected to the throngs of shoppers heading for the stores.
Needless to say, that usage didn’t sit well with local retailers. They tried according to Mr. Zimmer, to give the day a more positive name: Big Friday.
That did not take, but eventually retailers – in Philadelphia and beyond – managed to spin a new connotation: The day retailer’s books went from red ink to black.
Most consumers probably don’t know – and don’t care – about any of this. All they want are deals.
The rebranding of Black Friday has been so successful that others have tried to spread the wealth across multiple days of the week as the holiday shopping season has grown ever more competitive.
In 2005, Cyber Monday was introduced as the day online retailers offered big savings to holiday shoppers. In 2010, American Express came up with “Small Business Saturday” to encourage people to shop (presumably with their Amex Cards) at independent local businesses the day after Black Friday.
And as retailers begin their holiday promotions earlier and earlier, there have even been efforts to change the name of the day before Black Friday to Gray, Brown or Black Thursday.
But for most Americans, it will forever be Thanksgiving.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing article taken from THE NEW YORK TIMES is written by Hilary Stout.
BOSA DEVOTIONAL
DIVINE INTERUPTIONS
Experts argue that a staggering amount of time is consumed each day by interruptions. Whether at work or at home, a phone call or an unexpected visit can easily deflect us from what we feel is our man purpose.
Not many of us like inconvenience or a change of plans. But Jesus treated what appears to be interruptions in a far different way. Time after time in the Gospels, we see the Lord stop what He is doing to help a person in need.
While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified, a blind man (Bartimaeus) begging by the side of the road called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:35-38). Some in the crowd told him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus kept calling out to Jesus. Jesus stopped and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight, your faith has healed you.” (Luke 18:42)
When your plans are interrupted by someone who genuinely needs help, we can ask the Lord for wisdom in how to respond with compassion. What we call interruption may be a divine appointment the Lord has scheduled for us that day.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing article written by David McCasland, is taken from OUR DAILY BREAD, Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Our Daily Bread – a daily devotional booklet – is published by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
AULD LANG SYNE
Just before I bring the curtain down on Volume 32 of BOSA Newsletter, it is appropriate that as Editor of the widely read Newsletter, that I do so with the words Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish Poem written by Scottish Poet Robert Burns in 1788.
The words Auld Lang Syne which originates from old Scottish dialect is about love and friendship jn times past.
Using the lyrics of this Scottish Poem that is sung in Scotland on the night of January 25 each year to celebrate Burns night in memory of Robert Burns the author of the Poem; reminiscing on past love and friendship that we all enjoyed as students at Beersheba Primary School, BOSA wishes to use the lyrics of Robert Burns Poem to say to all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora, Auld Land Syne’
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne my dear,
For auld lang syne;
We’ll take the cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing devotional article that is written by C. P. Hia, is taken from Our Daily Bread Devotional Booklet, Wednesday, March 22, 2017 that is published by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand rapids, Michigan, USA.
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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