I generally think we ought to just fund our schools enough that teachers would have enough budget to work with to engage in interesting little projects like this, but I guess that's because I'm a terrible tax-and-spend liberal. :-P
In any case, in the absence of Prop13 reform, Donors Choose helps connect folks willing to drop $5 or $10 on a worthy cause with people who are devoting their lives to providing a decent start in life to people coming out of very difficult circumstances.