Book Drop counters CPS austerity... �Operation Book Drop� in Four Real Public Schools
Oct. 3, 2013, must have looked like Christmas for students and teachers in 4 Chicago public schools. A rented van was loaded to the gills with 5,000 books that were delivered to 4 real public schools. This effort was spearheaded by the American Federation of Teachers and the CTU. In Chicago it was labled as �Operation Book Drop�
Operation Book Drop October 3, 2013. Substance photo by David Vance.A press release states, this �is a reading recovery and restoration initiative by the Union to keep the appreciation of literature at the forefront of education in schools that have suffered from severe budget cuts by the mayor�s office and CPS.�
A statement from CTU President Karen GJ Lewis read, �Teachers chose books for their students and placed orders themselves to try and mitigate the effects these budget cuts had on their classrooms. Even the so-called �Welcoming Schools,� which were supposed to have better resources, don�t.�
The first book drop was at a so called, �Welcoming School� South Shore Fine Arts Elementary School located at 1415 E. 70th Street. The book van was greeted by a large group of students and adults who unloaded 2,000 books. The CTU school delegate thanked everyone. He explained that while classrooms are not overcrowded, their school budget did not allow for a librarian. Their second stop was a beautiful new school, the South Shore International College Prep. They also did not have a librarian. More than 1,000 books were unloaded by students, who climbed up a wide entrance stairway. (see group photo.) The students and CTU volunteers were thanked by Lisa Haynes, the PAC chairwoman.
The book van schedule took them to the Hyde Park Academy and last to Whittier Elementary. Whittier Elem. parents, children and community just saw the demolition of their community center, La Casita on the early morning of August 17. The van and books must have looked like Christmas in October.
Karen Lewis summed up the situation. �Reading is essential for any student, and we�re trying to help these schools and our children cope with the loss of basic necessities.� �They�ve closed schools and slashed budgets, so now the teachers are left to fill in the gaps.�
