"Six year old kids don't believe in Santa? The ones who went home crying still believed."
Could be. First lesson in reality for them, then. Lots more lessons like that coming, I'd guess. First grade is the time when lots of myths start to come apart for children. For the first time, they're hearing from folks who are supposed to be teaching them facts.
Santa is not a fact. Santa is a myth for toddlers. Had this teacher not told the real story of Santa, they'd have heard it anyhow within a year from their fellow students.
My parents never had some great talk with me to 'come clean' about Santa... we were always told we were free to doubt he exists whenever we wanted to stop getting presents from him :~D
I still believe in Santa. I'm in my thirties. :~D
Conservatrix, this whole statement is tedious self-important grandstanding... Saving these children's souls by blowing the lid of Santa Claus! Gee there's a worthy mission! "Zealously-guarded idol" my butt. How about "a tradition that is a lot of fun till someone like you pisses on it".
Hope you stubbed your toe on Christmas :~D