“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”
Bosa Newsletter, Volume 52 January 2023
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
Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA, 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
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.
CONTINUED REFUSAL BY SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL TO PAY BOSA AND VINCENT SAMUELS LEGITIMATE OUTSTANDING AMOUNTS OWED BY JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND AS AUTHORIZED BY PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH AND INFORMATION
The subject matter which is mentioned on page 1, 2 and 3 in Volume 40 January 2020 of BOSA Newsletter remains unresolved because of the Board’s defiance to carry out legitimate directive given to it by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.
PROGRESS REPORT ON NASHEENA DOBBS, NASHANA DOBBS, DURVANE BROWN SAMEIKA MAITLAND, DEVONNETTE SMITH AND TANASHAY JONES, BRIANNA DOBBS, AYANNA KELLY AND TIANA SPENCE
NASHEENA DOBBS: Attempts to obtain school report for Christmas Term 2022 has been to no avail .
NASHANA DOBBS: Attempts to obtain school report for Christmas Term 2022 has been to no avail.
DURVANNE BROWN: Attempts to obtain school report for Christmas Term 2022 has been to no avail.
SAMEIKA MAITLAND: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to report that Sameika Maitland continues to maintain excellent performance in academia in her pursuit of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health at the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus, Jamaica West Indies. Despite challenges that Sameika is encountering in not being able to attend face to face classes because of COVID-19 Pandemic, Sameika’s dedication and discipline to online classes, has rewarded her with A’s and B+’s for Christmas Term 2021. Notwithstanding Sameika being able to negotiate and access funding from The Government of Jamaica Students Loan Bureau to defray the cost of her tuition; Sameika who boards on campus is experiencing financial challenge to defray the cost of her boarding expenses.
If there is any Beersheba Primary School Alumna/Alumnus, Honorary BOSA Member, friends and well-wishers who would like to assist Sameika overcome her plight, please send your generous sacrificial financial contribution by check/cheque, Western Union Money Transfer or MoneyGram Money Transfer payable Juliett Mullings, Sameiks’s mother whose address mailing address is as follows:
Juliett Mullings
New Savannah District
New Market P.O.
Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica West Indies
DEVONNETTE SMITH: an avid reader from Beersheba, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, granddaughter of the late Victor Smith, 1st Vice President Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), has moved on to grade 9 at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in 2022/2023 school year, Devonnette is expected to continue her academic excellence in the new school year.
TANASHAY JONES: is from Flint Valley District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth who is first cousin of Shanisa Jones, BA (UTECH), has moved on to Form 4 at Hampton School in 2022/2023 school year. Tanashay is expected to continue her academic excellence of 86% which is reflected in her school report for Christmas Term 2021.
BRIANNA DOBBS: is from Long Ground, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, is a grade 7 student at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). Attempts to obtain Brianna’s school report for Christmas Term 2021 has been to no avail. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Briana all the best as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year which began on September 5, 2022.
YANNA KELLY: who is from Long Ground, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, was affected by ill health during 2021/2022 school year as a student at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) where she ended Christmas Term 2021 with 66.9% average. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Ayanna best of health and improved academic performance as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year.
IANA SPENCE: a native of Ruinit District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth who is a student at Lacovia High School earned 44.1% average in her school report for Christmas Term 2021. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Tiana all the best and hope she will settle down and perform better in her school work as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year.
KENUDEEN JONES: Kenudeen Jones, native of Carr District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, first cousin to Shanisa Jones, BA (UTECH), with her roots through the lineage of her father Kenneth Jones son of the late Beresford Jones (Guptie) from Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth; has performed satisfactorily as a grade 7 student at Bishop Gibson High School For Girls, Mandeville, Manchester; despite here mother Judeen being smitten by a severe stroke. Kenudeen’s school report for Christmas Term 2021 has revealed that she was awarded 68.5% class average. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Kenudeen’s mother improved health and also wish for Kenudeen continued satisfactory academic performance as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year.
2021 BENEFICIARIES FROM JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND
As one of the Stakeholders with whose acquiescence the balance of USD 79,841.49 (JMD 6,856,029.84) was transferred by HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited, former Trustee James Richards Educational Trust Fund in November 2011 to The Bank Of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited Chequeing Account No. 3002-82 with the names of Tatlin E Smith-Williams, former Principal Beersheba Primary School and the late Victor Smith, 1st Vice President Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) as legitimate signatories to withdraw funds from the account; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is still awaiting response from the administration at Beersheba Primary School regarding information requested from the school to the following questions:
- Names of the two students in the graduating class of 2021 who are successful in 2021 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Examination and will be selected as qualified beneficiaries of James Richards Educational Trust Fund in keeping with the criteria and desire stipulated by the Trustor.
- The agreed mechanism that will be used in selecting the two students.
- The quantum of financial benefit that will be allotted to each students and the purpose for which the funds will be utilized.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish to place on record, the Association’s concern that notwithstanding the fact that financial records pertaining to James Richards Educational Trust Fund were handed over to Misses Latoya Davis and Maisie Hamilton, Internal Auditors from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information by Tatlin E Smith-Williams, former Principal Beersheba Primary School in the presence of Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at a meeting that was held in the conference room at the Ministry of Education, Region 5, Mandeville, Manchester on May 5, 2016, the Association has not received a copy of the audited financial statement pertaining to the outcome of the audit that was done.
In the pursuance of probity, transparency and accountability, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is not going to discontinue its inquiry into these high-profile matters until responses requested have been received.
BOSA INVALUABLE, BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI, HONORARY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS WHO CONTINUE TO GIVE IN THE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF OUR STUDENTS
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, Josephine Wade, Roderick Colquhoun, Patrick Williams et al for their invaluable financial support that they continue to give to the Association.
PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS FROM BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HIGH SCHOOLS BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION BASED ON RESULTS OF 2022 PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) EXAMINATION
It is indeed a very sad commentary that whereas Beersheba Elementary/Primary School Alumni and our other readers in Jamaica and the Diaspora have always looked forward to the publication of detail information in BOSA Newsletter about students from Beersheba Primary School who have been successful in Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Examination and have been placed in high schools of their choice by Ministry of Education, the Association is unable to publish this information for 2022/2023 school year.
In keeping with established protocols which Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has consistently adhered to and observed over the years; the Association wrote to Mrs. Michelle Sanderson, Principal Beersheba Primary School requesting the (a) names the names of students (b) high schools in which they have been placed (c) names of their parents and their contact numbers. Information requested from the Principal has always enabled the Association to provide high school students from impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community two(2) sets of school uniforms including school shoes, note books, pens, pencils and other miscellaneous school supplies.
Howbeit, up to Monday, September 5, 2022 when 2022/2023 school year began; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has neither received any verbal or written acknowledgement or response from Mrs. Michelle Sanderson, Principal Beersheba Primary School to its written request. Consequently, the association has not been able to reach out to these high school students as it has done to other high school students from Beersheba Primary School back as 2009.
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
Now that restrictions under Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) has been lifted by the government of Jamaica, in addition to virtual online meetings; BOSA will take appropriate action to ensure that face to face contact of its members at bi-monthly meetings of the Association is restored.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH BOSA SUPPORT FUND FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 3 of 10 and 4 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information with respect to how you can assist to financially support students attending high schools. All financial contributions from donors will be promptly acknowledged in writing.
MEET THE ACHIEVERS AND TRAILBLAZERS
In keeping with its desire and admiration to see individuals excel in academia and careers in which they are involved, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) with its belief and commitment to zero tolerance for mediocrity, wish to focus its attention and present to its all Beersheba Elementary/Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora, its other valued readers and well-wishers of its quarterly newsletter; Dr. Trisha Bailey who stands out as an Achiever and Trailblazer.
Dr. Trisha Bailey, native of Woodland, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies, made headlines in news media in the USA Diaspora when as a Philanthropist, she donated more than US$10 million to the University of Connecticut (UCONN) her alma mater. UCONN Administration states that Dr. Bailey’s generous sacrificial donation is going towards a US$60 million renovation and expansion of Greer Fieldhouse where the donor spent a lot of time training during her days as a middle-distance runner for UCONN track team.
UCONN Administration has also stated that Dr. Bailey’s donation will allow for construction of the Baily Student Athlete Success Center, an 80,000 square feet training and academic support facility that will house six Olympic sports programs. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2023.
Speaking concerning her philanthropic donation to UCONN, Dr. Bailey said “for me, it’s greater than simply a gift and bigger than a building in my name. It is the start of my life. They (UCONN) took a chance on me and the talent I had and I didn’t believe I would take advantage of the opportunities that were given to me and I have; with the blessings of God.”
EARLY BEGINNING
Dr. Bailey’s early beginning goes back to Woodland, a remote hilly terrain peasant farming community in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies where she grew up and was nurtured by her aunt and grandmother when her mother went to work in Kingston. Reflecting on the time that she and her sister spent with her aunt and grandmother as their caregivers; Dr. Bailey said “my mother went to Kingston to work so I and my sister were left with my aunt and grandmother. It was the happiest time I had. We did not have much but we were a close knit family with lots of love, kindness and strong moral habits.” Continuing, Dr. Bailey recalled “I was the fighter for the family. Anyone who troubled my sister or cousins, I would fight them to protect my family.”
CRRICULUM VITAE
- Attended Springfield All Age School, Saint Elizabeth before migrating to the USA at age 13 where she resided in Hartford, Connecticut.
- Attended Quire Middle School and Weaver High School where she began her track career in the 10th grade running the 400, 800 and1,600 meters. She made the Junior Olympic Track Team at Weaver High School.
- Attended University of Connecticut (UCONN) to which she was recruited from Weaver High School and she was awarded a full scholarship.
- She became a Stock Broker after she graduated from UCONN. She later moved into the Pharmaceutical Industry as a Sales Representative, earning her Master’s and Doctorate Degrees while working full time.
- She relocated to California where she started her own Medical Recruitment Company which involved placing doctors in hospitals and other Medical Facilities.
- Dr. Bailey’s life changed after she had an accident which left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak.
- An experience which Dr. Bailey had at an airport where she sat for hours because she could not be heard when she tried to speak to Gate Agents about her connecting flight, propelled her to go into Medical Equipment and Supplies Business where she reaped financial success.
CONJUGAL FAMILY TIES – Dr. Bailey who was married, has five (5) children ranging from ages 24 -3 years old.
Editor’s Note: If Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora would like to see themselves being featured under this heading, Alumni who 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
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 4 and 5 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
Editor’s Note: It is mind boggling and perplexing to think of the ease with which John Rollins Success Primary School, Saint James was named after Philanthropist John Rollins, that despite acquiescence and support and all written criteria stipulated by the Ministry of Education being fully met and satisfied by Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), other Stakeholders in Beersheba Primary School Community and Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation; that Beersheba Primary School should be renamed James Richards Beersheba Primary School; because of the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non response and pussyfooting that continue characterize the School Board at Beersheba Primary School and the Ministry of Education; this important subject matter remains unresolved.
What more can the School Board at Beersheba Primary School and the Ministry of Education require so as to enable the Ministry to submit the proposal along with supporting documents to Cabinet of the Government of Jamaica to give its approval to rename Beersheba Primary School James Richards Beersheba Primary School for which James“Dick” Richards (1872 – 1965), Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Philanthropist and Icon has done the following and more that is not listed in this newsletter:
- Bequeathed money in his Last Will And Testament to provide scholarships for students from Beersheba Primary School whom the Ministry of Education has awarded places in high schools. The balance of US$79,941.49 (J$6,856,029.84) which HSBC Bermuda Bank Limited was by Deed Of Appointment And Termination James Richards Educational Trust Fund dated October 24, 2011 that made Beersheba Primary School the New Trustee of money bequeathed by the Trustor; the amount was wire transferred by HSBC Bermuda Bank Limited into Chequeing Account Number 3002-82 in the name of James Richards Educational Trust Fund at The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited, Black River Branch on November 3, 2011.
- Used his own money to purchase the land on which Beersheba Primary School was built.
- Used his own money to transport skilled workmen from Bermuda to build a large rain water tank at “Dell Cottage”– one of the largest rain water tank that was ever built in Beersheba Primary School Community – where residents from Flint Valley, Long Ground, Happy Hall, Beersheba and carr Districts could get water to use in their households free of cost.
- Used his own money to purchase land and erect a wooden structure with galvanized zinc sheets that housed The Salvation Army Carr Corp which was the sole place of worship in Beersheba Primary School Community for decades.
- Used his own money to purchase several hymnals which he donated to Carmel Moravian Church so as to enable congregants attending church services to use one hymnal each instead of the undesirable practice that was in place when he attended service at the church and observed two congregants holding unto and using the same hymnal.
STORY BOARD TO BE ERECTED ON THE EAMBANKMENT OF THE INTERSECTION OF BEERSHEBA/FLINT VALLEY PAROCHIAL ROAD AND BYE PASS ROAD THROUGH CARR DISTRICT IN MEMORY OF JAMES “DICK” RICHARDS (1872-1965) WHO WAS BORN IN CARR DISTRICT, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 5 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
BOSA is pleased to inform all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora and our other invaluable readers and well-wishers, that HomeTime Cable, Inc., Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, with its innovation and tenacity to provide Cable TV and Broad Band Internet Service to residents at Carr, Happy Hall, Beersheba/Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies; has indicated the Company’s interest to pursue the erection of a Story Board which has been outstanding on the agenda of Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation since James “Dick” Richards (1872-1965), was honoured posthumously at a function that was held at Luan Club, Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica.
James “Dick” Richards, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Real Estate Owner Bermuda, Philanthropist and Icon certainly deserves the honour of a Story Board that will be erected on the embankment at the intersection of Beersheba/Flint Valley Parochial Road and Bye Pass Road leading to Carr District his place of birth.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 5 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
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
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit page 6 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
No contribution has been received for this Volume of BOSA Newsletter.
.GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS
“Our behaviour today will be our history tomorrow. Make sure it’s well written.”
Jamaican Billionaire Michael Lee Chin
“You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”
Ralston McKenzie, host Sunday Contact RJR 94 FM Radio October 23, 2022.
“Whoever disregards discipline, comes to poverty and shame; but whoever heeds correction is honoured.”
Proverbs 13:18
“I’d rather have one rose and a kind word while I’m here than to have a truck load of flowers when I’m gone.”
Ralston McKenzie, host Sunday Contact RJR 94 FM Radio October 23, 2022.
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 19:17
ANSWERS TO BRAIN TEASERS PUBLISHED IN VOLUME 50 JULY 2022 BOSA NEWSLETTER
- Air-conditioning
- Cellular Phone
- Bullet
- Flag
- Because her husband is dead.
- A rag or towel
- Sidewalk
- Wheels on a truck
- 4+5=9
- A friend
- Toothpaste
- Clock
Editor’s Note: Look out for more brain teasers in Volume 53 April 2023 of BOSA newsletter.
DISCOVERY OF SLAVE BURIAL GROUND AT PAYNES TOWN, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA WEST INDIES
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers and our other readers who are interested in this subject matter, are asked to revisit page 7 and 8 of 10 in Volume 46 July 2021 under this heading in BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
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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.
Editor’s Note: The following response to information learnt about The Slave Day Burial Ground was received from Merlene Holness-Pryce, Beersheba Elementary School Alumna, USA:
“Dear Vincent, it was a pleasure speaking to you today. I learnt a lot about the history of Paynes Town and I hope the Government of Jamaica will get the truth out so that history can be corrected. You have been doing a great job bringing to the forefront the past history of Paynes Town and Carmel.”
BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY GET CABLE TV AND INTERNET SERVICE
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to announce that through the vision and innovation of HomeTime Cable, Inc., the districts of Carr, Beersheba, Long Ground, Happy Hall and Flint Valley that make up Beersheba Primary School Community, have been provided with Cable TV and Broadband Internet Service.
For additional information on this subject matter, all Beersheba Elementary/Primary School Alumni, our Well-wishers and our other Valued Readers of our quarterly newsletter are invited to read and peruse the recent email message that was sent to you all.
BOSA DEVOTIONAL
SELFLESS SERVICE
As Jesus prepared to wash His disciples feet, He shed abandoned His right to be served as He took off His outer garment. I that day and time, people either washed their own feet or had a servant perform the task. It was the lowest of the low jobs, and Jesus had the highest position in the room. He was the wise rabbi, divinity
in human flesh. He should have been the one to receive service, yet Christ knelt to rub dirt from callouses, to rinse dust from aching arches. Peter recognized the wrongness of the situation and protested. But Jesus wasn’t simply trying to defy cultural norms. He had another purpose in mind. He said “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
Christ was demonstrating that servanthood – in big or small things – is most meaningful when we leave our “selves” behind to lift others up. By God’s power, may we listen even better to others, show then His love, and provide for them – pointing them to Jesus. He’s the One who “did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. We truly follow Jesus’ example when we take the humble place beneath our brothers and sisters so we can lift them up.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing is an excerpt written by Jennifer Benson Schuldt, Our daily Bread Contributor.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND IT’S VARIANTS HAVE CHANGED THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER
In order to enable the government of Jamaica to fulfill its desire for herd immunity in the Jamaican Population, ALL JAMAICANS are urged to make appointments on the Ministry of Health and Wellness online platform and call centres to get themselves vaccinated at Vaccination Blitz which are being held island wide at venues advertised by the Ministry in the electronic and printed media and by town Criers.
World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has announced that COVID-19 Delta Variant which was discovered in India, has now spread to ninety-two (92) countries.
Everyone is urged to obtain updates directly from the Ministry of Health and Wellness or news releases the Ministry or Jamaica Information Service (JIS) will make through the electronic and printed media with respect to Vaccination Sites, days and times when vaccines will be administered.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) IN USA IS TRACKING NEW COVID VARIANT
On November 28, 2022, a new coronavirus variant called XBB appeared on CDC website and it has been given the label “variant of concern.” Currently, according to CDC, XBB variant accounts for 3% of COVID-19 cases nationwide in the USA and it is more prevalent in the Northeast where it accounts for 5% of all cases. XBB which is a combination of two Omicron subvariants (BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75) has been on CDC radar since November 2022 when it began doubling its case counts every 12 days.
It has been argued that XBB is among a growing group that could render some antibody treatments ineffective. Singapore was among Asian countries reporting high case count of XBB. Although Singapore had increased in cases, it did not have any accompanying major increase in hospitalizations.
ADVERSE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PRIMARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND TERTIARARY EDUCATION
WHO and PAHO has acquiesced that COVID-19 is something that we have to learn to live with. Consequently, Ministry of Health and Wellness and Ministry of Education Jamaica, have decided that with established protocols in place; face to face teaching will begin when students return to schools in the first week of September 2022 to commence 2022/2023 school year.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) HAS CHANGED THE NAME MONKEYPOX TO MPOX
World Health Organization (WHO) has changed the name monkeypox to mpox because of racial stigma that the disease is having on countries worldwide. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while monkeypox will be phased out.
Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and mpox is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox. Over 81,000 cases of mpox and 35 deaths have been reported across 110 countries so far in 2022 according to WHO.
SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The process can take several weeks.
DGITAL BANKING IS HERE TO STAY
Announcement made by The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited to close its flagship branch at 6 High Street, Black River, Saint Elizabeth and its Christiana Branch in Manchester in February 2021, in addition to converting six (6) of its other Branches to Digital Non Personal Banking, is proof that Scotia Bank in re-engineering its operation to reduce and eliminate fixed costs (rent, salaries, health insurance benefits and utility bills); has joined other financial conglomerates in making transition from inhouse to online digital banking that ultimately is going to result in a cashless society that has advantages and disadvantages.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is urging elderly customers of Banks to come to full realization that their “banger phones” have become obsolete and must be immediately replaced with a Smart Phone with at least 16 GB Internal Memory that is capable to download and install Mobile Banking Apps that will enable them to do their banking transactions from their homes. Young people including those in academia who are computer literate, are urged to help the elderly who must not be scammed or abused in the process.
CHANGING CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND BUSINESS DECISION TAKEN BY JAMAICA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED (JPSCO) TO CLOSE SEVEN OF IT’S OFFICES
In a news article captioned: JPS addresses concerns about impending closure of branches that appeared in Jamaica Gleaner on Thursday, February 4, 2021, Senior Vice Resident Customer Service at JPS, Ramsay McDonald, is quoted as saying “While we fully appreciate the concerns of the residents, our decision to close the office – speaking in reference to the closure of the Portmore Office which is among seven (7) offices that will be closed effective March 8, 2021 – was made after careful consideration and observation of the changing behaviour of our customers. Over the past four years, customers have increased their use of online platforms to do regular transactions.”
Since less face-to-face transactions with JPSCO is going to be the norm going forward, consumers are urged to utilize several options that are available to them. One option is downloading and installing JPS App from Google or Apple Play Store on Smart Phones as well as logging on to myjps.myjps.net through which electricity bills can be paid.
SEASONS GREETINGS
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish all Beersheba Elementary/Primary School Alumni, our Well-wishers and all our Valued Readers of our quarterly newsletter; Christmas 2022 that is characterized will Joy, Peace and Goodwill to everyone including the poor and needy and a Happy, Prosperous and Productive New Year 2023.
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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