Parents of a group of elementary school students are outraged after their teacher told them Santa Claus wasn’t real during a geography lesson. The teacher, Leatrice Ann Eng, has since apologized and the school system is investigating the incident internally.
From the Huffington Post:
It wasn’t the Grinch who stole Christmas for a class of second graders at George W. Miller Elementary School in Nanuet, N.Y. Instead, it was their teacher, who allegedly told students there was no Santa Claus during a geography lesson about the North Pole.
“It’s outrageous that a teacher would strip a child of their innocence and try and demystify something,”Margaret Fernandez, 59, told the New York Post as she picked up her grandchild from kindergarten.
On Saturday, the Post reported that the teacher, 58-year-old Leatrice Ann Eng, had since apologized to the parents of each student in the class in a string of phone calls to the students’ homes.
As for any other action that might be taken in response to the incident, district Superintendent Mark McNeill said discussions were ongoing, though he had little else to say.
“This matter is being discussed internally and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further,”McNeill told the Journal News.
Parents, do your kids believe in Santa? Do you think the situation has been blown out of proportion?
Draelee says
well since my kids know, and have always known, that there is no such thing I think they are over reacting. to me white people love putting this fake mess on kids. even when my kids were babies I would never put this filth in their heads.
gigi184 says
How sad that parents/ people get all bent out of shape over the truth about a fictitious character yet how many of those kids knows the real Santa- Jesus Christ!! Our priorities are backwards people!!
Mar says
What does being white have to do with it? I am white, and I read this blog every day because I want a strong marriage and I learn a lot here.As far as Santa goes, well Christmas is about Christ, not some fictitious character. My daughter got told about the history behind St Nick yesterday, and I was okay with it. I am not upset at all that her teacher told the class the truth.
Hevgee03 says
Being white has everything to do with it. The average black family doesn’t teach their kids that “Santa” brings them gifts because that would imprint a false belief that the “white man” gives black people stuff for free….never going to happen. It is very widely known and accepted in the black community that the children should understand from an early age hoe hard their parents work to get them want they need to live , and maybe some nice surprises if the money allows for it. To each his own and beliefs are personnal, but there are very different ideas based on racial and cultural differences. Teachers are overstepping their bounds in many ways across this country. It all comes down to family and whT each believes in. The teacher made a mistake. She forgot to pretend that she believed in some idiotic fantasy to sell more toys very year. Everyone should just enjoy the holiday season for whatever reason you celebrate it and chill out.
Hevgee03 says
Being white has everything to do with it. The average black family doesn’t teach their kids that “Santa” brings them gifts because that would imprint a false belief that the “white man” gives black people stuff for free….never going to happen. It is very widely known and accepted in the black community that the children should understand from an early age hoe hard their parents work to get them want they need to live , and maybe some nice surprises if the money allows for it. To each his own and beliefs are personnal, but there are very different ideas based on racial and cultural differences. Teachers are overstepping their bounds in many ways across this country. It all comes down to family and whT each believes in. The teacher made a mistake. She forgot to pretend that she believed in some idiotic fantasy to sell more toys very year. Everyone should just enjoy the holiday season for whatever reason you celebrate it and chill out.
chocolate lover says
I’m black and grew up believing in Santa Claus. My mother would have had a fit if someone had spoiled that for me. Yes, children should know that the birth of Christ is being celebrated but there is nothing wrong with the fantasy of Santa Claus either. I think the parents aree right to be upset; it should be up to them when how their children learn about certain things.
MsTK says
I too am black and I can’t agree that white people or being white has anything to do with this matter! I grew up with Santa even though I had a hard working single mother. It was all for fun, my mother didn’t feel a need to ruin it for me just so she could avoid having me think a white man gave me something for free. Kids don’t think of it that way anyhow.
I don’t agree with what this teacher did, it wasn’t her place to say anything on the subject of Santa, as every family must decide on their own what to tell their child. We don’t do the Santa thing in our house, only because we want to focus on Christ at Christmas time. However, we tell our kids the story of the real St Nick and explain that some children believe he still gives gifts at Christmas time so they don’t ruin it for friends who may believe.
MsTK says
I too am black and I can’t agree that white people or being white has anything to do with this matter! I grew up with Santa even though I had a hard working single mother. It was all for fun, my mother didn’t feel a need to ruin it for me just so she could avoid having me think a white man gave me something for free. Kids don’t think of it that way anyhow.
I don’t agree with what this teacher did, it wasn’t her place to say anything on the subject of Santa, as every family must decide on their own what to tell their child. We don’t do the Santa thing in our house, only because we want to focus on Christ at Christmas time. However, we tell our kids the story of the real St Nick and explain that some children believe he still gives gifts at Christmas time so they don’t ruin it for friends who may believe.
Meeca77 says
I don’t think that a teacher should be forced to lie to students. If possible I, as a substitute teacher, would direct the student to ask his parents. I grew up believing in Santa, however I have not carried on that tradition with my own children.
I wanted to reply to the comment that teachers are crossing boundaries. This may not apply to you but, teachers are crossing more boundaries because more parents are not doing their damn jobs. The Santa Claus fantasy is the least of our problems as a people and as a societal whole.
Niambi says
I agree with Mar. This is not a black or white situation. We are loosing focus here. It is about celebrating CHRIST and not a fictious character. I just wanted to add that although this is a blog with freedom of speech, we should all be mindful of the comments we make so as to not make other persons feel unwelcomed. I am sharing this from experience. I know it can get touchy sometimes but I humbled myself and apologized for any offense I may have caused the person even though it wasn’t my intention to do so.
Niambi says
I agree with Mar. This is not a black or white situation. We are loosing focus here. It is about celebrating CHRIST and not a fictious character. I just wanted to add that although this is a blog with freedom of speech, we should all be mindful of the comments we make so as to not make other persons feel unwelcomed. I am sharing this from experience. I know it can get touchy sometimes but I humbled myself and apologized for any offense I may have caused the person even though it wasn’t my intention to do so.
Mar says
What does being white have to do with it? I am white, and I read this blog every day because I want a strong marriage and I learn a lot here.As far as Santa goes, well Christmas is about Christ, not some fictitious character. My daughter got told about the history behind St Nick yesterday, and I was okay with it. I am not upset at all that her teacher told the class the truth.
BrothaTech says
Blown out of proportion – Yes BUT I also think the teacher should “choose her battles wisely” and leave the whole “what’s real and what’s fake” convos for the parents to figure out.
Mellsvoice says
I never believed in Santa and my kids don’t either. With that said I don’t go around telling other folks kids what to believe in. I agree that she crossed the line…even it is an imaginary line lol.
jadziadragonrider says
This is idiotic. An investigation? Because a person charged w the task of teaching did the job even when the parents are busy filling their kids heads up with insanity. An apology should suffice.
Bridgette Howard says
@BrothaTech, i agree. blown out of proportion, however it really should be up to the partents how to best deal with this. as a child my partents didn’t lie to us about a man coming down the chimney with a ton of gifts that my parents worked hard to provide for us!!! all 3 of us were told long ago there a was a man St Nichols, kind and generous who so loved children he would bless them with gifts and through the years this practice continued and “santa clause” is the watered-down version of what once was. we’ve taught our boys, 5 and 3 the same. to purposely lie to a child, even something as silly as santa, and have them find out you lied is counterproductive.
Anisha says
No matter what your parenting style – my children will know early on that santa = mom + daddy – it is your parentling style. And many parents – white and black – choose to allow their children to believe in mythical beings and creatures for a while as they are a few of the last vestiges of childhood in a world that wants your children to be totally grown and exposed to everything from birth. The teacher’s actions were out of line if they were not on in the curriculum she was hired to teach and most likely they were not since most public elementary schools feed in the mythical santa, easter bunny, and whatever other character pops up during the school year. Should she be required to do more than apologize: no. Because that’s the risk a parent runs in telling their child that something exists that doesn’t. Not everyone does that; most likely it’ll be another child since a lot of parents do not like the idea of giving a buglarizing white man credit for their hard work and are telling their children sooner if not from jump. I don’t think it at all wrong for parents to allow their children to indulge in child-like fantasies – they believe in fairies, dragons, etc. – I just won’t be indulging this particular one.
Niambi says
I understand what you are saying but I don’t think it went down like that. I am thinking that since the teacher was speaking about geography and the north pole that a child probably asked her “where does santa live” in which she probably then said there is no santa. As an educator it is her responsibility to guide a child in the right direction. If robbing a child of innocense means lying to a child and disguising the truth then that is actually deception. If I had children I would rather the teacher tell my child the “truth” then to disguise it as a lie about a mythical creature that delivers presents to children. He really isn’t the reason behind why we celebrate CHRISTmas. It is to celebrate the birth of CHRIST. That is what is wrong with this holiday. It’s used to celebrate a mythical creature and commercialization instead of celebrating Jesus who is the one who died for us so that we could be forgiven of sins and have eternal life in heaven. He is truly the reason for the season.
Shyreeta Mouzone Harris says
I do agree that an apology for this ‘offense’ should suffice. And I do believe that your speculation about how the ‘revelation’ went down is the most sensible and probably exactly how it happened. I am a teacher and I would never want to make this type of revelation to my students because I know how ‘touchy’ things like this can be. Some parents believe that it is harmless fun to allow children to believe in Santa and others think it is dishonest. To be honest, I really wonder if the latter group actually tells their children the truth about everything.
I raised my children to understand that CHRISTmas is about remembering, rejoicing in, and celebrating the birth of Christ. My children also knew that it was my husband and I who bought them gifts and put them under the tree. However, we talked about Santa, too, and I exposed them to the idea of generosity and good will that Santa symbolizes.
What I wanted to really respond to was what you said about how you would rather a teacher tell your child the ‘truth’. I think I understand what you meant by that and for the most part, I agree. However, you have to be careful with that because the ‘truth’ is different things to different people. Although the Santa thing is an absolute (We know there is no Santa), what about teachers who may want to plant other ideas in children’s heads? I have had particular problems with some science lessons during my children’s middle/high school years. It was fine to teach the curriculum of Darwinism and the Big Bang Theory as written in the texts because the state/school mandates those lessons. I had homeschooled my children in their early years, so they already firmly understood God to be the Creator of all things. What bothered me was when a teacher once basically attacked my daughter’s beliefs as ‘impossible and irrational’ during a class discussion! That was a whole big deal that school year!
Niambi says
Thank you for your response. I think you are right in that i have to be mindful that the “truth” about what a person teaches. That is why when I have children I will make sure I am being active in their schooling and reading the curriculum, etc. to know what they are being taught.
Niambi says
Thank you for your response. I think you are right in that i have to be mindful that the “truth” about what a person teaches. That is why when I have children I will make sure I am being active in their schooling and reading the curriculum, etc. to know what they are being taught.
Shyreeta Mouzone Harris says
I do agree that an apology for this ‘offense’ should suffice. And I do believe that your speculation about how the ‘revelation’ went down is the most sensible and probably exactly how it happened. I am a teacher and I would never want to make this type of revelation to my students because I know how ‘touchy’ things like this can be. Some parents believe that it is harmless fun to allow children to believe in Santa and others think it is dishonest. To be honest, I really wonder if the latter group actually tells their children the truth about everything.
I raised my children to understand that CHRISTmas is about remembering, rejoicing in, and celebrating the birth of Christ. My children also knew that it was my husband and I who bought them gifts and put them under the tree. However, we talked about Santa, too, and I exposed them to the idea of generosity and good will that Santa symbolizes.
What I wanted to really respond to was what you said about how you would rather a teacher tell your child the ‘truth’. I think I understand what you meant by that and for the most part, I agree. However, you have to be careful with that because the ‘truth’ is different things to different people. Although the Santa thing is an absolute (We know there is no Santa), what about teachers who may want to plant other ideas in children’s heads? I have had particular problems with some science lessons during my children’s middle/high school years. It was fine to teach the curriculum of Darwinism and the Big Bang Theory as written in the texts because the state/school mandates those lessons. I had homeschooled my children in their early years, so they already firmly understood God to be the Creator of all things. What bothered me was when a teacher once basically attacked my daughter’s beliefs as ‘impossible and irrational’ during a class discussion! That was a whole big deal that school year!
Niambi says
I don’t get it. She told the TRUTH. There is no Santa. So now she is being punished for being honest. This world is so backwards! lol
Legal Grinding Wifey says
Definitely blown out of proportion I was one of those kids where my mom and dad decided to tell me in their “own” unique way. One of the rare Christmas nights I stayed up watching out of my window and convinced myself I saw a twinkle in the sky. Only to wake up the next morning to find the same presents underneath the tree the night before. Hence, the way my parents choose for me to find out Old Saint Nicholas was a hoax..Kudos to the teacher. I would have much rather hear it from her that be as pissed off as I was @ my parents. Ha!btw I was in the 2nd grade when it was revealed to me. Maybe she thought by them most kids where seeing the “light”.
Legal Grinding Wifey says
Definitely blown out of proportion I was one of those kids where my mom and dad decided to tell me in their “own” unique way. One of the rare Christmas nights I stayed up watching out of my window and convinced myself I saw a twinkle in the sky. Only to wake up the next morning to find the same presents underneath the tree the night before. Hence, the way my parents choose for me to find out Old Saint Nicholas was a hoax..Kudos to the teacher. I would have much rather hear it from her that be as pissed off as I was @ my parents. Ha!btw I was in the 2nd grade when it was revealed to me. Maybe she thought by them most kids where seeing the “light”.
Keepingitklean08 says
This isn’t even worth the time. Christmas is about Jesus so who cares if she said there is no Santa. She should not get in trouble for telling the truth. This is crazy. Focus on real stuff and quit trying to get attention.
Keepingitklean08 says
This isn’t even worth the time. Christmas is about Jesus so who cares if she said there is no Santa. She should not get in trouble for telling the truth. This is crazy. Focus on real stuff and quit trying to get attention.
latour says
Wow… I did grow believing in Santa and raised my son the same. I believe I did it because of traditions; as most people probably do. I didn’t realize that some Christians were still celebrating Christmas as Jesus Christ birthday. It been proven years ago that he was not born in December. My current church recognizes it as a man made holiday just as Julu 4th and Thanksgiving.
latour says
Wow… I did grow believing in Santa and raised my son the same. I believe I did it because of traditions; as most people probably do. I didn’t realize that some Christians were still celebrating Christmas as Jesus Christ birthday. It been proven years ago that he was not born in December. My current church recognizes it as a man made holiday just as Julu 4th and Thanksgiving.
Onlybuilt1906 says
Race has nothing to do with it whatsoever. I’m black, both of my parents are black and I was certainly raised to believe in Santa Claus. It’s one of the many joys of childhood. I suppose it’s a personal preference as to whether or not you teach your children about Santa Claus, but to me, it’s selfish not to. You can teach about Santa without devaluing the story of Jesus. To not teach children about Santa because you work “so hard” throughout the year to provide and you want the credit, you’re a tool for wanting credit for what you’re SUPPOSED to do.
Onlybuilt1906 says
Race has nothing to do with it whatsoever. I’m black, both of my parents are black and I was certainly raised to believe in Santa Claus. It’s one of the many joys of childhood. I suppose it’s a personal preference as to whether or not you teach your children about Santa Claus, but to me, it’s selfish not to. You can teach about Santa without devaluing the story of Jesus. To not teach children about Santa because you work “so hard” throughout the year to provide and you want the credit, you’re a tool for wanting credit for what you’re SUPPOSED to do.
Eyeswideshut92 says
why should teachers be required to tow the line because parents want to give all the credit to a ficticious character? If I were a teacher, I’d tell all those parents to get the heck out of my face.
Mandlync35 says
hey its unfortunate that kids will learn things from outside sources weather you like it or not.. The TRUTH is always better than a LIE and sometimes the truth may get told by someone other than the parents. You cant shelter your
Yarobinson says
How dare that teacher not lie to your kids,there outtabe law! Find some real issues,can the kid read on a proper grade level?
Gbgv says
hogwarts taught me in the books there is no santa bringing them gifts