A New Jersey school has sent letters of apology to parents after a substitute teacher informed her first grade (Year 2) class that Santa isn't real.
According to Lisa Simek, an upset parent, the reliever told students that "Santa isn't real, and parents just buy presents and put them under the tree".
Cedar Hill School Principal Michael Raj wrote to parents as soon as he was aware of the situation.
- Duncan Garner bashes Nelson's Māori Santa
- 'I'm bloody angry': Patrick Gower urges NZ to 'stop the fight' over Nelson's Māori Santa
- Male-only Santas 'unlawful discrimination' - employment expert
"I am sending this letter so that you are aware of the situation," he began a letter.
"And if the conversation comes up at home over the next few days you can take appropriate steps to maintain the childhood innocence of the holiday season."
However, childhood innocence may be a thing of the past for these students, as the teacher reportedly also told them, "Reindeer can't fly, elves are not real and [popular toy] Elf on the Shelf is just a pretend doll that your parents move around".
Seemingly unsatisfied with just spoiling Christmas, the substitute also told the children that "the tooth fairy is not real" and that the "same goes for the Easter bunny".
According to Ms Simek, she also told them "magic does not exist".
However, in the generous spirit of Christmas, Ms Simek urged people not to say anything negative about the reliever.
"We don't know her situation or perspective," she wrote.
"No matter how unfortunate a situation, we must all learn that Christmas magic is real and shown through acts of kindness, love and positivity."
Newshub.
