Volume 34 Bosa Newsletter July 2018

“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”

Bosa Newsletter Volume 34 July 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, 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 GRADE 10 C STUDENT AT SAINT ELIZABETH TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL (STETHS)

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

UPDATE WITH RESPECT TO ACTION TAKEN BY BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (BOSA) TO RESOLVE THE OUTSTANDING VEXED CONTENTIOUS MATTER BETWEEN THE SCHOOL BOARD AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND THE ASSOCIATION.

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to use this Newsletter to inform all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora, friends, Well-wishers and its Readers, that after the Association made several attempts to resolve the long outstanding vexed contentious matter between the School Board at Beersheba Primary School, the Ministry of Education as the Association has been to no avail; the Association has not been left with any other alternative but to instruct a reputable Law Firm in Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica West Indies that specialize in Trust Matters, to take appropriate action to pursue and resolve the matter in the interest and welfare of the Association and affected parties. In a meeting that was held on May 16, 2018 at the Law Offices of the Law Firm which the Association wishes to remain anonymous at this time, the Secretary/Treasurer who presented brief on behalf of the Association; was advised by the Lawyer representing the Law Firm, that he will contact the Association within two (2) weeks to discuss the appropriate action that will be taken with respect to the way forward in pursuing, resolving and bring closure to the long outstanding matter.

PROGRESS REPORT ON SHANISA JONES, NICKAYLA STEVENS, AND DAMANIKE SMITH    

Shanisa Jones continues her academic excellence as a student enrolled at the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus. Shanisa’s excellent academic performance and deportment at UTECH has earned her a coveted spot in the Students Overseas Summer Work Programme in Wyoming, USA.

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 from which she will graduate and go job hunting in Summer of 2018.

DAMANIKE SMITH Damanike Smith Continues to maintain her academic excellence as an enrolled student at HEART/NTA, Black River Campus has graduated from the Institution after she successfully completed her course of study in Business Administration.

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. 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: 1-876-997-7201 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 who is need of a lap tap notebook computer that will enable her to keep up with her assignments in Information Technology (IT), 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: Mathematics 100, Spanish 98,                       Social Studies 97,   Information Technology  97, Science 96.

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.

MEET NASHANA DOBBS AND DURVANNIE BROWN TOP PERFORMING STUDENTS IN 2018 GRADE SIX ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GSAT) AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

The impoverished peasant farming district of Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth that produced and nurtured Nasheena Dobbs (Nashana’s Sister) whom the Ministry of Education placed at Mount Alvernia High School, Montego Bay, Saint James in September 2017, has produced Nashana Dobbs, whom the Ministry of Education has placed at Hampton School, Malvern, Saint Elizabeth as a result of her excellent academic performance in obtaining an average of 89.4 in the 2018 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

 

Durvannie Brown who is also from Flint Valley, has been placed at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) as a result of his excellent academic performance of 82 average in 2018 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). Both students who will be graduating from Beersheba Primary School in the commencement exercise that will be held at the school on July 04, 2018, will attend High Schools when the New School Year begins in September 2018.

Editor’s Note: For additional detail information about Nashana Dobbs and Durvannie Brown and other students from Beersheba Primary School who have been successful in 2018 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), please refer to news article that is posted on Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) website: bosaonline.org

PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) WHICH REPLACE GRADE SIX ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GSAT) IN 2019 Parents and Guardians are urged to familiarize themselves with information that the Ministry of Education has promulgated on its website and through various Media Houses in Jamaica regarding Primary Exit Profile (PEP) with its focus on critical and analytical thinking that replaces Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) with its focus on pencil and paper and multiple choice task in 2019. Curricula in education systems worldwide have been changing and Jamaica must keep up with scientific and technological change or the country will be left behind.

BOSA INVALUABL, 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, 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

Sameika Maitland has been promoted to Dormitory Prefect at Hampton School.  As Dormitory Prefect, she now has her own room as she oversees and supervised students who live in the Dormitory.  Sameika has added this award to her other accolades as she continues to maintain her excellent academic performance that has earned the Silver Medal Award as a member of the Headmistress Round Table.  Congratulation Sameika!    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 for his own money to purchase the land on which the Ministry of Education built Beersheba Primary School as well as his money that Bermuda Trust Company transformed to the school as New Trustee from which James Richards Educational Trust Fund  is established at The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (Black River Branch); representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) met with His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster and Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation in the office of CEO on January 15, 2018 to thoroughly discuss this outstanding.   Councillor Richard Solomon, Member Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation for New Market Parochial Division who was invited to the meeting and participate in the discussion on the above mentioned subject matter did not show up.   Representatives from Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation who attended the meeting acquiesced that the Corporation will pursue the matter with the Ministry of Education since all criteria stipulated by the Ministry to rename the school has been met. In addition, it was agreed that the Councillor for New Market Parochial Division will take appropriate action to organize and hold a non-political, non-partisan Town Hall Meeting in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School. The purpose of the meeting is to anable Councillor Solomon to obtain feedback from all Stakeholders in Beersheba Primary School Community on the matter and report his findings to Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation which has an active Education Committee on its establishment.

ATTEMPTS TO MEET WITH COUNCILLOR RICHARD SOLOMON, MEMBER SAINT ELIZABETH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND COUNCILLOR FOR NEW MARKET PAROCHIAL DIVISION IS STILL TO NO AVAIL

Several attempts made by Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) to meet with Councillor Richard Solomon, Member Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation and Councillor for New Market Parochial Division since he failed to show up at the meeting that was held in the office of the CEO Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation  that was presided over by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster on January 15, 2018, has been to no avail.   In the pursuance of the Association’s desire to have an urgent meeting with Councillor Solomon, with Mrs. Carmen “Mitsy” Jones-Robinson, President New Market Community Development Council in attendance to discuss several outstanding matters affecting people in New Market and adjoining communities, the Association’s Secretary/Treasurer in addition to several correspondences that the Association sent to Councillor Solomon by email regarding these matter; contacted him by telephone recently. Assurance that the Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) received from Councillor Solomon that he is willing to meet with the Association’s Secretary Treasurer and the President New Market Community Development Council at Lewisville Branch Library is still awaiting Councillor Solomon’s confirmation with respect to the date and time for the meeting.

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 Staff representative: Mrs. Naomi Foster-Brooks PTA Representative: Nickesha Lawrence Community Representative: Mr. Valdes Hamilton Member: 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:

1. All School Boards are accountable to the Minister of Education.
2. 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.
3. 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.   Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) assumes that:

1. As a result of the retirement of Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams as Principal Beersheba Primary School, National Education Council (NCE) will take appropriate action to ensure that Mrs. Michele Sanderson, Acting Principal is appointed to fill the vacancy on the School Board and its website updated accordingly.
2. As a result of Miss Nickesha Lawrence  no longer residing in Beersheba Primary School Community, that National Education Council will take appropriate action to appoint someone as the PTA Representative on the School Board and its website updated accordingly.

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.   Editor’s Note: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has contacted the Administrator for THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME to discuss and ascertain if the programme will support another student whom by virtue of obtaining above 85 average and qualifies as a beneficiary of James Richards Educational Trust Fund Scholarship also qualify as beneficiary of THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Outcome of the decision taken by the Administrator will be published in Volume 35 October 2018 of BOSA Newsletter.

BOSA SAYS LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE A newly posted pastor was visiting the homes of his church members. At one of the houses, he observed that someone was at home but refused to answer his repeated knocks on the door. The pastor took out his complimentary card and wrote Revelation 3:20 on the back of the card and it outside the door. When the offering basket was going around in church the following Sunday, the pastor found out that his complimentary card had been returned. Added to his message that he left on the card was Genesis 3:10. When the pastor opened his Bible to check out the quotation, he broke down with laughter. Revelation 3:20 says: “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” Genesis 3:10 says “I heard your voice but I was afraid because I was naked.”

BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER  WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system – which normally protects its health by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses – mistakenly attacks the joints. This creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints (the synovium) to thicken, resulting in swelling and pain in and around the joints. The synovium makes a fluid that lubricates joints and helps them move smoothly.   If  inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage cartilage, the elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, as well as the bones themselves. Over time, there is loss of cartilage, and the joint spacing between bones can become smaller. Joints can become loose, unstable, painful and lose their mobility. Joint deformity also can occur. Joint damage cannot be reversed, and because it can occur early, doctors recommend early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to control RA. Rheumatoid Arthritis most commonly affects the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. The joint effect is usually symmetrical. That means, if one knee or hand if affected, usually the other one is, too. Because RA also can affect body systems, such as the cardiovascular or respiratory systems, it is called a systemic disease. Systemic means “entire body.” Who is affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis? About 1.5 million people in the United States od America have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nearly three times as many women have the disease as men. In women, RA most commonly begins between ages 30and 60. In men, it often occurs later in life. Having a family member with RA increases the odds of having RA; however, the majority of people with RA have no family history of the disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms In the early stages, people with RA may see redness or swelling in the joints, but they may experience tenderness and pain. The following joint symptoms are clues to RA:

• Joint pain, tenderness, swelling or stiffness for six weeks or longer
• Morning stiffness for 30 minutes or longer
• More than one joint is affected
• Small joints (wrists, certain joints of the hands and feet) are affected
• The same joints on both sides of the body are affected

Along with pain, many people experience fatigue, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever. The symptoms and effects of RA may come and go. A period of high disease activity (increases in inflammation and other symptoms) is called a flare. A flare can last for days or months. Ongoing high levels of inflammation can cause problems throughout the body.  Here are some ways that RA can affect organs and body systems:

• Eyes. Dryness, pain, redness, sensitivity to light and impaired vision.
• Mouth. Dryness and gum irritation or infection.
• Skin. Rheumatoid nodules – small lumps under the skinover bony areas.
• Lungs. Inflammation and scarring that that can lead to shortness of breath.
• Blood Vessels. Inflammation of blood vessels that can lead to damagein the nernes, skin, and other organs.
• Blood. Anemia, a lower than normal number of red blood cells.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes The cause of RA is not yet fully understood, although doctors do know that an abnormal response of the immune system plays a leading role in the inflammation and joint damage that occurs. No one knows for sure why the immune system goes awry, but there is scientific evidence that genes, hormones and environmental factors are involved. Researchers have shown that people with a specific genetic marker called HLA shared epitope have a fivefold greater chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis than do people without the marker. The HLA genetic site controls immune responses. Other genes connected to RA include STA, a gene that plays important roles in the regulation and activation of the immune system.TRAF1 and C5, two genes relevant to chronic inflammation, and PTPN22, a gene associated with both the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis.  Yet not all people with these genes develop RA and not all people with the condition have these genes. Researchers continue to investigate other factors that may play a role. These factors include infectious agents such as bacteria or viruses, which may trigger development of the disease in a person whose genes make them more likely to get it; female hormones (70 percent of people with RA are women); obesity and the body’s response to stressful events such as physical or emotional trauma. Research also has indicated that environmental factors may play a role in one’s risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Some include exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, insecticides and occupational exposures to mineral oil and silica.   Editor’s Note: The foregoing information is provided by Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, USA. Additional information about rheumatoid Arthritis will be published in Volume 35 October 2018 of BOSA Newsletter and will include the following:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Care
• Rheumatoid Arthritis and Infection Risk
• Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cancer Risk

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 Editor’s Note: The foregoing subject matter was thoroughly discussed in a meeting that was held in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation on January 15, 2018. The meeting which was provided over by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster, was attended by Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), New Market CDC, and Mrs. Elvie Miller and her daughter Madge Mullings; Owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located; acquiesced and decided that the Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation will pursue the matter with the History and Archaeology Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies so as to get the Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust Foundation to honour the commitment that was given to the association that they would visit, take over, secure and preserve the site.

BOSA DEVOTIONAL A 24- year old boy looking out through the window of the train in which he was travelling shouted. “dad, look , the trees are going behind ; they are moving very fast!” His Dad simply stared at him with so much joy and he smiled. A young couple who were seated nearby looked at the 24-year old boy and thought to themselves; “he’s so grown up but so childish, he must have a mental disorder for his father not to be bothered about his observation.” Suddenly, the 24-year old boy exclaimed again, “Dad, look, the clouds are running with us!” The young couple could not resist and said to the boy’s father, “why don’t you take your son to see a doctor may be a psychiatrist?” The boy’s father smiled and said, “I just did! We are just coming from a doctor but not a psychiatrist; we are just coming from the hospital.  My son was blind from birth. He just got back his sight today for the very first time. My son’s behavior might seem stupid to you, but its more than a miracle to me.”   The young couple sat there in consternation lost for words with a mixture of tears and shame in their eyes remarked; “everyone on earth has a story to tell. Do not jump to conclusion about anyone’s private affairs because you do not know they are come from or what they have to deal with.”   The truth behind this story might surprise you! Take it easy with others, even if you think you have a “perfect” life. As we continue to make our earthly pilgrimage, let us keep working towards the good of all mankind.