Members and friends of the York Street Past Students Association, New York Chapter, welcome everyone to the NEW MILLENIUM. We thank all the various groups, and friends who have supported us and do hope that you will continue to give us your support and advice as we try to make our association a dynamic and prosperous one.

A very special thanks to all those members who have gone the extra mile as towers of strength and strong forces in their efforts towards the development of our school and community. This year let us work collectively as a team, and develop ways and means to achieve our goals.

As you will see our organization has been very active, our Jamaica and Chicago Chapters are aspiring to greatness, as you will see from the various reports.

MAIN EVENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2000
(1) UJAA: The association participated in the Union of Jamaica Alumni Association USA, Inc. MEGA Drawing 2000 for the second year. We did extremely well in the sales of tickets and have deposited our profit to our building fund.
(2) We would like to congratulate and welcome Mrs. Barbara Richards the new President for UJAA and Mr. Anton Tomlinson - VP. We wish them all the best in their new position.
(3) New York: Our annual fundraiser was held for the second year at St. Bonaventure Church Hall in Jamaica, New York on Saturday, May 20, 2000. Our dedicated members and friends came in from Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia to be a part of this successful event.
(4) Chicago, Illinois: The 3rd annual fund raising dance held in Chicago on Saturday, September 23 was a big success. All monies received from this grand occasion were sent to Jamaica to our building fund. We thank everyone in Chicago for the gracious kindness they extended to us for that entire weekend, and we are looking forward to be there in September 2001 for their 4th annual fundraiser. Solomon & Avis Flowers, Oswald O'Connor, and Glen Taffe - keep up the good work.
(5) Sunshine Program: We organized and launched a program to assist the ten most needy children attending York Street Primary School by providing uniforms and a hot meal daily. Upon the suggestion of one of our members, Ms. Agnes Leigh, the program was given the name "Sunshine" exemplifying brightness and light.

DONATIONS: The association donated various items to the following schools:
(a) Russell Penn Basic School: 1 TV & VCR along with various school items of children cassettes, books, coloring books, pens, pencils, crayons etc.
(b) York Street Basic School: 1 TV & VCR along with various school items of children cassettes, books, coloring books, pens, pencils etc.
(c) York Street Primary School: Various school items, which include children cassettes, clothing, shoes, books, pencils, crayons etc.

SPECIAL REPORT CORNER!!

LISTED BELOW ARE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S LETTERS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000
The entire school community wishes to thank you for your efforts geared towards the improvement of this institution.

We wish to applaud in particular, your most recent contribution of the marling and stoning of the schoolyard, to alleviate the dust and mud nuisance.
We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship as we continue to unite and serve.

REPORT ON SUNSINE PROGRAMME - November 16, 2000
In February 2000, the York Street Past Students Association, local and overseas chapters, adopted 10 children from the school. These children are:
1) Rushanne McEachron Grade 1 Female2) Veronica Watkins Grade 2 Female3) Andre Campbell Grade 3 Male4) Oraine Hutchinson Grade 3 Male5) Kenroy Campbell Grade 3 Male 6) Rajay Cameron Grade 4 Male 7) *Sherika Lowe Grade 4 Female 8) Ricardo Parker Grade 5 Male 9) Richard Reid Grade 5 Male10) Lorenzo McLawrence Grade 5 Male

*Sherika Lowe has left the school. Dwight Abrahams was put in her place. Two (2) new students were added to the programme in September 2000.
They are: Violet Brown Grade 1 Female
Cleastan Henry Grade 1 Male
The Sunshine Programme has been very beneficial to the students. The Children are given lunch daily at a cost of $30 per lunch.

In summer of 2000, the children were given two sets of uniforms each and a pair of shoes. The providing for these children caused them to be more comfortable in their group and no longer out of place because they were now properly attired. This has built their self-confidence and self-esteem. Their general overall attendances have improved significantly. For the year 1998-99 and 1999-2000 attendance among these students has improved to about 80% overall. The students have been so motivated that their general attitude towards work has become very positive. This has resulted in the dramatic improvement of their reading levels and class work in all subject areas. Some of them have been promoted to advanced groups at their class level.

SPECIAL CASES
Kenroy Campbell's level has improved from Grade 3 to Grade 4 over a 10-month period. He has been promoted to group 2 from group 3 and he is advancing. His grades in all subject areas especially language and mathematics have improved tremendously. He has only been absent for three days this year, compared to 25 times in the same period last year.

Dwight Abraham's has moved up from reading at the Primer level to Grade 1 level. His attendance has improved greatly and he is now class monitor.

Richard Reid's self esteem and attendance have been boosted and he is always at school very neatly dressed. He has moved from a non-starter to a Grade 1 level over the one-year period.

Andre Campbell, although his performance and attendance has been improved there is not a significant improvement as often times he is absent because his uniform had not been prepared. We are making plans to remedy the situation.

It would be highly appreciated if this programme would be extended to other needy children in the school. To date we have identified over 15 students who could benefit from the programme.

On behalf of the staff, students and parents of the programme I would like to express our gratitude to you all and trust that God will give you the strength to continue assist the less fortunate.

With best wishes
Dorothy Lennon - Nugent - Acting Principal

REPORT FROM THE YORK STREET PAST STUDENT ASSN., JAMAICA CHAPTER - January - December '2000
We salute the entire family of York Street Past students' Association, on the occasion of a remarkable year, the closing of one millennium, and the beginning of another. We extend our congratulations to the community, churches, and other organizations, which supported us throughout the period.

Over the past year, we as past students have devoted ourselves to help the school, the children and the community, thus fulfilling our motto 'Participating through service, for the growth and development of our school, community, and country.' Our president Mr. James Facey and technical coordinator, Mrs. Sephlin Myers-Thomas have worked assiduously with other members of the committee to steer the activities of the association to achieving the success we have, though sometimes through troubled and uncharted waters.

Throughout the year, our regular monthly meetings have been held, and the 'regular' faces are those we see, although we have made concerted efforts to attract new members. A register was taken at the 'Homecoming Dinner'. This has been used as a reference point to access past students through circulars, inviting them to meetings. However, this had not borne any fruit. Plans are afoot to rotate the meetings to various key points, in the district, as well as to capitalize on the other meetings, such as P.T.As. in order to reach the past students. During the year, Mrs. Gloria Brown, friend of Mrs. Myers-Thomas who frequently attends the meetings, has been accorded membership to the association. It is felt that she could be an asset to the group, because of her faithfulness and willingness to serve.
During the latter part of the year, we were graced with the presence of the President, Ms. Elaine Coleman and Vice President, Mr. Gladstone Brown of the New York Chapter. Mr. Brown participated in our special executive meeting. He was also invited to a special meeting with Mr. Leonard Jackson, the Senior Building Officer for the Region, in which the school falls. This was specially organized by the Public Relations Officer, in order to give them first hand information regarding the proposal for the expansion of the school facilities, and to source the technical expertise to guide our thinking on the matter. Ms. Coleman attended a follow-up meeting with the Senior Building Officer to further pursue the subject.

ACADEMIC INPUTS
The level of academic and cultural progress, which the school can accomplish, measures the worth of a school. This can be heightened by the provision of facilities to ensure that a school can function effectively. Through the initiative of the Public Relations Officer, two (2) new chalkboards were sourced for the school. As part of her activity, the P.R.O. also visited the school during the literacy summer programme, and gave some useful hints to the teachers who were engaged in the activity. In addition, the recognition of excellence among the students was realized. The award was presented to yet another student, Shamone Bailey. While there is much to celebrate in this respect, there is still much more to be achieved. It will require the concerted efforts of all parents to ensure that the children are in school five days each week.

PHYSICAL PLANT IMPROVEMENT
One of the objectives of the association is to assist in school plant improvement and maintenance. With tremendous help from the overseas chapter, the association has been carrying out activities to upgrade and maintain the school plant. This, however, can only be visible if the whole school family endeavor to ensure that what is provided and done is cared for and upheld. Some activities include the cleaning of the front area, and whitewashing of other areas to give facelift. The actual paving of a section of the yard adjacent to the Canteen and the Lower School, which has posed a dust and mud problem during extreme weather conditions, was a welcome gesture. For this project the association thanks Messrs L. Burke and E. Blake for their outstanding input. The school has procured and erected a new school sign.

Future plans are in place to construct new classrooms to alleviate the overcrowding that now exist, and to refurbish the canteen building, as well as to erect new water closets. Mr. Jackson, Senior Building Officer, has been very accommodating, by making two visits to the site on our request, and giving invaluable pointer for the way forward. On his recommendation, Mrs. Myers-Thomas made contact with the Chief Building Officer in the Ministry of Education & Culture and things are set in motion for both building officers to meet on the matter. In addition, Mr. Morrison, Chief Building Officer, identified an existing plan, which should adequately fit the proposed project. Further contacts are to be made with Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) to reopen the dialogue about the possibility of assisting in the building programme.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A number of companies, institutions, and individuals were very generous with their time and gifts in helping us throughout the year. We are indeed grateful to all our supporters. While we are unable to list all the names, we would like to record the following:

1) Superb Printery - Kingston 2) Kingston Book Shop - Kingston 3) Sangsters' Book Store - Kingston 4) Nestle Jamaica Ltd. - Kingston 5) Highgate Foods Ltd., - Kingston 6) Le Meridien, Jamaica Pegasus - Kingston 7) Alcan Jamaica Ltd. - Ewarton Works 8) Value Engineering - Kingston 9) Grace Kennedy Ltd. - Kingston10) National Commercial Bank - Linstead 11) Upper Room School of Faith - Kingston12) Butterkist Ltd. - Kingston13) Jamaica Citrus Growers Ltd. - Bog Walk14) Juci Beef Patties - Linstead15) Mrs. D. Gidden-Barnes - Linstead16) Mrs. E. Francis - Linstead17) Mr. Lloyd Pekins - Kingston18) Mr. Philbert Dhyll - Kingston19) Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Davis - Bog Walk

THE WAY FORWARD
The way forward in the new millennium is heralding challenges, but not beyond that which the Lord will make us able, and with the continued support of those who wish us well, as well as those new persons and institutions we envisage will come on board, we shall meet our target.
God bless the association, as we go from strength to strength.

HONOUREES: Principal and teachers who were honoured
Miss Rubie C. DillionMrs. Aletha GiddenMrs. Eudel PalmerMrs. Olga McCarthyMr. Walter Davidson - Principal (Post humously) Miss Winsome FaceyMrs. Beulah KerrMrs. Dorothy NugentMrs. Minnette Williams Mrs. Esmerelda FrancisMrs. Iris Masters (post humously)Mr. Izett Claude Hyatt

Sephlin Myers-Thomas
(Public Relations Officer/Treasurer)

FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK - VALRIE BOOTHE - HAIL TO DEDICATION!!!

The love and dedication of one individual Elaine Anderson-Coleman is the result of a group known as the York Street Past Students Association Inc. This group though small is enthusiastic with great dreams and aspirations.

For the past four years never have I seen such zeal, commitment and unification in a group of people. Think of all the bad weather that we've had - the wettest, the hottest, the stormiest, the coldest, and not once was meeting postponed for any of these reasons. Members and friends braved these conditions to ensure that their dreams and goals are realized. They have labored unselfishly for the tiny community and country from which they came and sacrificed physically, mentally and financially to improve the education and quality of life for their people. When it comes to the association the word "no" does not seem to exist in their vocabulary and as a consequence have left an indelible mark on the minds of those they have helped.

Therefore I'm using this medium to congratulate them on a service well rendered, and pray that God will continue to give them the strength for a much more successful 2001.

AWARD
Jericho School: The organization received an award for invaluable contribution from Jericho School. This is our first award for services rendered and we will cherish it.

SPECIAL THANKS: Principals and staff of Bermaddy Primary School, Russell Penn and York Street Basic School sent us acknowledgement and thanks for various items they received for their respective school.

CONCLUSION
Again with gratitude and deep appreciation members and friends of the York Street Past Students Association Inc. thank all our supporters, welcome new ones, and do hope that you will continue to support us in whatever area or capacity you see fit.

GIVE THE NEEDY CHILDREN A CHANCE!!