Chicago Tribune

Teachers watch for aid site to click

James Janega
November 2, 2003

As Chicago Public Schools teachers and school officials tangle over a new contract for the teachers, the fight to provide the essentials for students continues.

Teachers in four Chicago Schools - Richards Career Academy, Bogan Technical High School, Bouchet Elementary Math & Science Academy, and Howland Elementary School of the Arts – have listed basic needs on a new Web site, www.iLoveSchools.com.

The non-profit group that set up the site in June, San Diego based I Love Schools, hopes it can bridge the gap between cash-strapped classrooms and people looking for a place to invest charity money.

“Some things are tragic,” said I Love Schools president Jerry Hall.

For instance, Bouchet Elementary is seeking math books, Bogan High School needs copier paper and spiral notebooks, Howland wats gift certificates to Kinko’s copy shops and Richards needs music stands.

“Most teachers are spending $400 to $1,000 a year on average out of their own pockets to supply this stuff,” Hall said. “Most people would throw $20 at a teacher if they could.”

Click here to read I Love Schools, Inc. press releases.