“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”
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, ASC, BBA, Secretary/Treasurer
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
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) joins with family members, relatives and friends who are grieving and mourning the loss of their love ones who have passed away since our last newsletter was published. May the memories of these bereaved love ones continue to linger in our hearts and minds cognizant that 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.
- 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 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: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has been invited by the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) to meet with the School Board at the
School on September 19, 2018 at 1:00PM to deal with this outstanding contentious matter that has been allowed to drag on since November 16, 2011.
UPDATE ON MEETING HELD AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 BETWEEN THE SCHOOL BOARD AND BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The foregoing subject matter was discussed at a meeting that was held in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, was presided over by rev. Christopher Euphfa, Moravian Minister, Chairman of the School Board and successor to Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour, Moravian Minister, former Chairman of the School Board.
This meeting to which representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) was invited in writing to attend with all members of the School Board, did not do anything tangible to resolve the outstanding contentious matter on which the Ministry of Education has already issued its directive but the Chairman of the School Board – past and present – refuse to obey.
The Chairman and other members of the School Board – including two reactionary members, a past student of the school and a member of the academic teaching staff – wasted valuable time in attempting to narrate the entire story that led to the Ministry of Education issuing its directive to the School Board.
Against the backdrop of the Chairman of the School Board coming to the meeting unprepared to deal with the subject matter and apologizing that Mrs. Michele Sanderson, Acting Principal of the School was unable to copy and circulate to all members of the School Board, documents that are germane to the discussion because the Printer broke down; the Secretary/treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) on behalf of the Association’s Vice President Victor Smith and BOSA representative Vincent Brown, in disgust, asked that they be excused from the meeting. Prior to leaving the meeting, the Secretary/Treasurer informed the Chairman of the School Board that since it is evident that the School Board does not appear to be inclined to find an amicable solution to resolve vexed issues involved in the outstanding contentious matter, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is not left with any other alternative but to take appropriate action to instruct its Attorney – at – Law who specializes in Trust Matters, to take the matter to Court where the Association will be Plaintiff and the School Board and the Ministry of Education will be Defendants.
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. Shanisa’s excellent academic performance and deportment at UTECH has earned her a coveted spot in the Students Overseas Summer Work Programme 2019 in USA. Shanisa will return to the University of Technology (UTECH), Kingston Campus in September 2019 to continue her studies.
NICK AYLA STEVENS
Nickayla Stevens who has been successful in passing subjects in CSEC and CXC Examination has graduated from Upper Six Form at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School at the end of the School Year in Summer 2018. Nickayla currently gainfully employed in the Hotel Industry in Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica West Indies.
DAMANIKE SMITH
Damanike Smith who continued to maintain her academic excellence as an enrolled student at HEART/NTA, Black River Campus, graduated from the Institution after she successfully completed her course of study in Business Administration. Damanike is currently gainfully employed at a Bill Express/Western Union, Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies.
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 website: bosaonlinr.org about Sameika’s achievement).
UPDATE ON SAMEIKA MAITLAND
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), safety net and monitor for Sameika Maitland, financially challenged student, is pleased to inform our readers and well-wishers that Sameika who graduated in grade 11 on June 16, 2019 from Hampton School in the Class of 2019, has been successful in obtaining passes in her Caribbean School Examination Certificate (CSEC) as follows:
SUBJECTS SAT AND PASSED GRADES RECEIVED
English 1
Biology 1
Chemistry 1
Physics 1
Information Technology 1
Principles of Business 1
Social Studies 1
Mathematics 2
Sameika Maitland, Achiever and Trailblazer who consistently maintained excellent academic performance as an A student, has been admitted as a non-boarding day student at Hampton School where she will continue her studies in Lower Six Form in which she is currently enrolled for 2019/2020 School Year that began on September 4, 2019. Sameika currently commutes to and from school daily on the School Bus from her home at New Savannah , New Market, Saint Elizabeth.
PROGRESS REPORT ON NASHEENA DOBBS AND NASHANA DOBBS AND DURVANNE BROWN
Nasheena Dobbs continues her excellent academic performance as student at Mount Alvernia High School, Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica West Indies. Our readers are invited to log on to BOSA website: bosaonline.org to read more about Nasheena Dobbs, an Achiever and Trailblazer from the graduating class of 2017 at Beersheba Primary School.
Nashana Dobbs, age 12 years – Nasheena’s sister – a beneficiary of James Richards Educational Fund Scholarship is currently attending Hampton School, Malvern, Saint Elizabeth as a non-boarding student in keeping with the decision taken by her parents Ivan Dobbs and Nola Delisser who resides in the farming district of Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth.
Durvanne Brown who is also from Flint Valley, has been placed at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). Durvanne’s placement at STETHS resulted from his excellent academic performance of 82 average in 2018 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). Durvanne began attending STETHS for the New School Year that began on September 3, 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 PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) STUDENTS GRADUATING BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE CLASS OF 2019AND BEYOND 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 do 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 4:00 PM.
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 39 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 MADE BY BOSA 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.
UPDATE ON VISIT WITH COUNCILLOR RICHARD SOLOMON
At the invitation of Councillor Richard Solomon, the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) accompanied by Mrs. Elvie Miller and Madge Mullings, visited and toured the Slave
Burial Ground at Paynes Town, New Market on Sunday, February 03, 2019. BOSA is looking forward to hear from Councillor Solomon with respect to the way forward in dealing with this matter.
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 former Senator Ruel Reid, former 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.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) assumes that:
- 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.
- 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.
Editor’s Note: At the meeting that the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) held with representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, with “Shana”, a new face introduced by the Chairman of the School Board as the representative of the PTA, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association informed the Chairman that the name of the new representative of the PTA that he has introduced to the meeting is not on the official list of members published by National Council on Education (NCE)
THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
By way of update to information that is given in Volume 35 October 2018 of BOSA Newsletter on the above subject matter; the said matter was thoroughly discussed between the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) and Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at a meeting that was held in the main auditorium at the School on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.
With respect to the position that the School Board has taken on the matter that the criteria set by the Administrators of The Elesa Hamilton Scholarship Programme is too stringent, the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), told the Chairman that since the Association has no jurisdiction with respect to how the Scholarship Programme is administered, the School Board should write to the Administrator of the Scholarship Programme to discuss the Board’s concern.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is still awaiting a copy of the email message that the School Board has sent to the Administrator of the Scholarship Programme regarding concern the Board mentioned at the meeting.
OBSTACLES BEING EXPERIENCED BY Vinette D’ANDRADE, DAUGHTER OF ELESA HAMILTON IN TRYING TO GIVE BACK TO BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY
In the pursuance of complying with the request made by Vinette D’Andrade regarding the desire of she and her husband Clayton D’Andrade to give back to the impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community in the form of an Comprehensive Outreach Programme that is tentatively scheduled to be held at Beersheba Primary School in June 2020; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has made several attempts to no avail, to meet with Mrs. Michele Sanderson, Acting Principal and Rev. Christopher Euphfa, Chairman School Board Beersheba Primary School to discuss correspondence that the Association received from Vinette D’Andrade and to plan with all Stakeholders in Beersheba Primary School Community the way forward so as to enable the Comprehensive Outreach Programme to achieve the desired objective.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is still awaiting information from the Acting Principal and the Chairman School Board Beersheba Primary Scool with respect to when they will meet with the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association to discuss the matter.
BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to present the final article in the series on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) And Infection Risk and Cancer Risk.
RA AND INFECTION RISK
Doctors have long known that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk for infections, which can range from mild to life threatening. Problems with your immune system (the body’s defense against infectious bacteria and viruses) are partly to blame. But other factors, such as your age, overall health, environment, certain lifestyle habits and being hospitalized, can make a person more susceptible to infection too.
The medications that help control the immune system wayward behavior in RA can also weaken the body’s defenses. “It’s a fine line – we want to teat a patient’s illness, but we don’t want to cause complications,” says Leslie Harrold, MD, a board certified rheumatologist and epidemiologist of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.
These factors can cause opportunistic infections to wreak havoc in people with RA. But careful medication management and commonsense habits can help reduce your risk or minimize the severity of infections.
HOW BIG A RISK?
Research dating back to the 1950’s indicate that RA patients have more infections than people who don’t have the disease. Dr. Harrold’s patients tend to get mild infections, such as the common cold. However, serious infections are associated with one in four deaths among people with RA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A serious infection is one that requires intravenous antibiotics or hospitalization, or proves fatal; a few examples include pneumonia, staph infections and sepsis.
The increased risk for infections in RA may be partly due to a drop in the number and activity of white blood cells available to attack invaders. Also, the immune system of an RA patient is weakened and less able to recognize germs. Some research suggests that RA patients may not mobilize important defenders called T cells as efficiently as non-patients.
Your infection risk also rises with the severity of your disease activity. If it’s mild, your risk increases almost 3-fold, according to a 2013 study in The Journal of Rheumatology, while severe RA raises the risk nearly 5-fold. Other personal characteristic also raise your risk. As you age, your immune system works less efficiently, and you’re more likely to have other medical conditions linked to infections, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Smoking weakens your defense against infections. And if you work in certain environments, such as a hospital or school, you may be exposed to more germs.
MEDICATIONS AND INFECTIONS
There’s little question that suppressing the immune system with medicine – essential for controlling RA – is a significant cause of infections. For example, a 4-fold increased risk for serious infections is one of the downsides of corticosteroid use.
Disease-modifying drugs such as methotrexate make infections somewhat more likely, too, but “the risk substantially increases when you add a biologic to the equations,” says Ali Ajam, MD, an assistant professor in the division of rheumatology and immunology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Initially there was some question as to whether biologics increase infection risk. An analysis of 106 clinical trials published in The Lancel in 2015 found that, compared to older DMARDs. Earlier studies, including one by British researchers published in 2011 in the journal Rheumatology, found the risk is greatest during the first 6 months you’re on biologic, then diminishes until it’s only somewhat higher than the risk associated with DMARDs, though no one is certain why.
While doubling the risk for serious infection sounds scary, Dr. Ajam points out that “most of these medications have less than a 5% incidence of major infections. If a patient starts a biologic and has frequent infections, lowering the dose or switching to another often solves the problem,” says Dr. Ajam.
CUT YOUR INFECTION RISK
“There are many ways you can decrease your risk for infection,” saus Dr. Harrold. Some steps are common sense: Eat a balanced diet, wash your hands ofgten, don’t smoke and get plenty of sleep. In addition, take the following critical steps:
Get vaccinated. An annual flu shot and the pneumococcal vaccine are musts. (Ask your doctor which type of the latter is right for you before getting it.) You should also get the herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine when you’re eligible; since it contains a live virus, you must receive this shot before starting a biologic.
- Avoid sick people. If you will be exposed to others who may be ill, wear a surgical mask.
- Consider supplements. Herbal supplements containing turmeric, garlic and cinnamon may give your immune system a boost, says Dr. Ajam.
If you use biologic and develop a fever or any other sign of infection, call your doctor. While infections are an important concern for RA patients, good control of your symptoms should be foremost in your mind.
“Don’t be scared of your medications, “says Dr. Harrold. “Be proactive and manage the risk.”
ARTHRITIS AND CANCER RISK
DO INLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS AND THE DRUGS USED TO TREAT IT PUT YOU AT HIGHER RISK?
It’s an unfortunate reality of life with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): people with this and some other related inflammatory diseases carry a modestly increased risk for developing certain types of cancer. Over the years, some researchers have questioned whether commonly used inflammation-fighting medications – particularly biologics – might take some of the blame for that heightened cancer threat. However, growing evidence tells us that chronic inflammation – not the drugs that treat it – is the primary link between RA and cancer.
THE LYMPHOMA CONNECTION
A number of studies show that people with RA have roughly double the average risk for developing lymphoma, a group of cancers that arise in the blood. “That is likely a consequence of chronic inflammatory stimulation of the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis,” explains Eric Matteson, MD, professor of medicine and rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota. Two key procedures of inflammation, lymphocytes called B cells and T cells, are the same cells that become cancerous in lymphomas, notes Matteson. The increased activity of these lymphocytes in RA makes them more likely to turn malignant, he says. As evidence, Dr. Matteson points out that people with poorly controlled inflammation have the highest risk for developing lymphoma.
Although this may concern you, it’s important to bear in mind that lymphomas are relatively rare. One of the most common forms, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, occurs in about one in 50 adults in the United States (2%) – which means that your risk as a person with RA grows to about two in 50 (4%). Hodgkin lymphoma is even more rare, affecting fewer than three people out of every 100,000. (For comparison, one in eight women develops breast cancer, and a similar portion of men are diagnosed with prostate cancer,) In other words, the increased threat of lymphocytes in RA is real, but modest.
DO RA DRUGS ADD TO THE RISK?
Medications that affect the immune system have the potential to increase cancer risk, says Dr. Matteson. This appears to be the case with a few drugs that are infrequently used to treat RA, such as cyclophosphomide and azathioprine.
However, one of the most widely used RA medications, has been linked to lymphoma as well. According to Dr. Matteson, however, RA patients who take methotrexate are more likely to develop lymphoma if they also have the Epstein-Barr virus.
More controversial has been the association between biologic drugs and cancer. “By suppressing specific components of the immune system, it seems plausible that biologics might increase cancer risk,” says Donald Miller, PhD, professor of pharmacy practice at North Dakota State University in Fargo. But while that possibility staked concerns about the safety of biologics when they were introduced in the 1990s, Miller says, “The news is good.”
Early on, studies suggested that biologic users may have up to a three-fold increased risk for developing cancer, particularly lymphoma. However, more recent research appears to exonerate the medications. A 2016 study published in Annals of Rheumatoid Diseases involving more than 15,000 RA patients who took a biologic found no increased risk for lymphoma.
What happened? Early studies of biologics primarily included patients with long-standing severe RA, explains Susan Goodman, MD, a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. “Because of their persistent inflammation, those patients are at the highest risk for lymphoma,” says Dr. Goodman. This distorted the apparent risk of biologics. “But now that we’re giving the medications to more mildly affected patients, that association is being lost,” she says.
Until recently, doctors were reluctant to prescribe most biologics to RA patients who had cancer, either currently or in the past, out of concern that the drugs might awaken a dormant tumor or worsen an existing malignancy. “But we’re backing away from that,” says Dr. Matteson, given the lack of evidence for any link between biologics and lymphoma, or any other form of cancer.
OTHER CANCERS
People with RA have an increased risk for lung cancer. Smoking tobacco is the obvious link between the two diseases since the habit dramatically raises the risk for both. But Matteson’s research indicates that RA patients who smoke are about 40% more likely to develop lung cancer than smokers who don’t have RA, suggesting that chronic inflammation plays a role as well.
Both methotrexate and biologic drugs seem to slightly increase the risk for two forms of cancer, known as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). According to a 2016 study in the BJM, taking a biologic raises the risk for SCC by 30%, though that’s still a relatively small concern. Treating 1,600 patients with biologics for a year would lead to just one additional case of SCC than would otherwise be expected. Both BCC and SCC are highly treatable, but if you take a biologic, wear sun block and report any moles or other skin irregularities to your doctor.
An increased risk for a serious disease, even if it’s small, needs to be considered when deciding to take any medication. But Dr. Matteson reminds his patients that poorly controlled RA not only damages joints, but raises the risk for heart disease and other threats. “The benefits of controlling rheumatoid arthritis ,” he insists, “far outweigh the risk of cancer.”
Editor’s Note: Information in the foregoing article published by Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA.
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
Jesus had been teaching the crowds all day, and His disciples suggested that He send the people away into the village to buy bread. Jesus replied to His disciples “You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16) Jesus’ disciples were perplexed for there were more than 5,000 people to be fed!
A boy gave his lunch consisting of five small loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus and He used it to feed the crowd. (Matthew 14:14-21).
What can we all learn from this? Family, neighbours, friends, colleagues and others stand around us in varying degrees of needs. Should we send them away to those who are more capable than we are? Certainly, some people’s needs exceed our ability to help them, but not always. Whatever you and I have, a hug, a kind word, a listening ear, a brief prayer, some wisdom you and I have gathered; let us give it to Jesus and we will marvel to see what He can do with what we have given to Him.
Editors Note: Excerpt taken from “Loaves and Fishes” written by Denia H Roper, Contributor to Our Daily Bread, August 5, 2019.
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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