Noble Son of Jamaica Continues to Follow His Passion
Paul Miles, a Jamaican born, Biochemist and Management Consultant, residing overseas and founder of “The Paul Miles Foundation”, conducted the first of a planned annual Donation Ceremony on March 14, 2019 at the Black River Primary & Infant School. He donated Computers, Musical Instruments, Projectors, children’s clothing, Sports and other school education supplies to over fourteen (14) schools and Community Youth Clubs across four (4) parishes, including his alma mater Seaside Primary and Long Road Basic Schools.
Knowing that his ancestors arrived in Black River, in the 1700’s, lived and owned properties in Black River and surrounding areas, he had a passion to give back to the children of Black River and also to select a school within the area as the local hub for the Foundation to lead and execute projects. Black River Primary & Infant was selected as the hub for future donation ceremonies and donations to all schools and groups.
Mr. Miles commended Mrs. Sharon Whyte, Principal, Miss Yvonne Bowes, Vice Principal/ Coordinator, Mr. Cleon Foster, Acting Vice Principal and their team, for planning, hosting and executing this Donation Ceremony. Commendation was also extended to Charlemont High School Pop/Mento Band, Newell High School Marching Band and Black River Primary & Infant School’s Choir, Dance Group and JCDC Speech Gold Medalist who provided entertainment and displayed amazing talents.
Mr. Miles during his address to the group of past principals, vice principals, teachers, students and parents, explained the need for a high level of transparency and accountability and constant feedback on the impact that contributions have made on schools. He also indicated that the Foundation’s small team of local and overseas members is focused, unique and very effective. He also emphasized that for donations to be successful, the teachers must be equipped with the necessary tools and technology to support teaching and learning and that children are also impacted by the community where they live hence his effort to provide donations to support community Youth Clubs during this ceremony.
The following are some of the projects initiated by the Foundation:
1. Education Research & Development Resource Center
To develop an Education Research and Development Resource Centre at Black River Primary & Infant School which will enable the use of technology in the standardization of lesson plans and development of teaching methods to support the teaching/learning process, for three (3) teachers of five (5) primary schools, based on the Ministry of Education Youth & Information New Standards Curriculum for Grades 4-6 with an emphasis on students with learning disabilities/special needs (Intervention Students), then roll out to students in the surrounding area, parish and region as deemed necessary. In 2017, The Foundation initiated a project in partnership with Acting Principal Shauna Ashley to provide Seaside Primary School in Portland, with computers, printers and projectors to start a Learning Centre. This project was completed in the 4th quarter of 2018 under the leadership of newly appointed Principal, Mr. Adli Lewis. The centre is used to provide research, training and workshops, not only for students and teachers at Seaside Primary but also for teachers from other schools.
2. Intervention Program
To acquire technology and learning materials to enhance Intervention Programme at Black River Primary & Infant School.
• The Paul Miles Foundation in partnership with School District in Pennsylvania to provide the following:
• 800 books and other reading material from Infant to Grade 6 deployed to Black River Primary & Infant School.
• 400 diagnosis and intervention mathematics books
• Seven (7) projectors for Intervention grades in transit provided by Paul Miles Foundation. • Paul Miles Foundation to provide children’s tablet for pilot programme at the Infant Department.
• Plans to shadow Special Education Programme (Intervention Programme) in School District in Pennsylvania, through the Paul Miles Foundation to gain firsthand knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge and best practices gained from this intervention programme will be shared with other schools. * Additional projectors, printers and laptops to be provided in phases to remaining non-intervention classes as a supportive technological tool for teachers to enhance learning at Black River Primary & Infant School. * Additional computers will be provided to support the existing Computer Lab.
3. Music Program
During his address at the Donation Ceremony, Mr. Miles emphasized the importance of music in the teaching/learning process and strongly recommended the inclusion of a music program in the Schools.
Miss Yvonne Bowes, Vice Principal, Black River Primary & Infant School provided assurance that Black River Primary and Infant school as well as all other recipients will continue to live up to the expectations of The Paul Miles Foundation as they pursue a common goal of getting the students to perform at the optimum level.
Over the last few years The Paul Miles Foundation has donated musical Instruments to various schools in Jamaica to revive Music Program, sponsored music competition among schools by donating instruments and academic prizes to winners donated computers, printers, projectors and other educational and sports related items to schools and co-sponsored primary schools’ Christmas Treats.