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Arcadia Student Donates Life Savings To Save Teachers' Jobs

ARCADIA (CBS) — A San Gabriel Valley student taught her fellow classmates a lesson in giving after donating her life savings to save teachers' jobs.

Jocelyn Lam donated $300, the sum of her allowance and rewards for good grades, to Camino Grove Elementary school in hopes that teachers will be spared from looming layoffs.

The money, in an envelope stuffed with $1, $5 and $10 bills, and a letter were given to the school's principal, Dr. Brook Reynolds, on Friday.

In a letter, Lam wrote, "I really hope the $300 is enough to save more than one teacher….Please put the money to good use."

Lam's gift came two days after notices were sent home to parents alerting them that layoffs of over 100 Arcadia School District employees were imminent.

"We've notified 104 certified employees, and we will probably lay off 60 teachers. We need about $5 million," said district Superintendent Joel Shawn.

Camino Grove has raised $20,000 since the layoff notices were sent out.

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