Teacher tells kids Santa is 'make-believe' (1st graders)

AP ^ | Thursday, December 4, 2003

[presidio9]

Sandra Jolly said her 6-year-old son's Christmas was spoiled when his teacher told the first-grade class Monday that "Santa Claus is make-believe."

"He had this sad, lost puppy dog look on his face. This unhappy, empty look," Jolly said. "He said his teacher informed the entire class that Santa is make-believe."

[cupcakes]

LOL, glad I waited to reply. Exactly what I was thinking.

[cupcakes]

Radio, this is more reasonable. While we have fun with the Santa myth, we don't do much to hide the fact that we are the gift givers. We figure our 5 yr old will figure it all out in a couple of years as her mind grasps reason more and more. We've laid subtle clues for her to figure it out and are just waiting for the day she asks. Nothing to break the magic, but enough info that at some point she'll start wondering and put those peices together;-)

There is certainly a way to not be a Scrooge, but lay the hints so the child can figure out on their own when they are ready to put the magic aside and know who Santa really is. It certainly isn't up to the teacher to make the final decision as to when that is.

[cupcakes]

It is not your business what other folks teach their children..sorry.

[cupcakes]

Perhaps I should just send my children to you to raise then since you have decided what I should or should not teach them?

[cupcakes]

What a bunch of rubbish. My parents played Santa and I never thought ill of them that they "lied". In fact, I had great fun perpetuating the tradition with younger siblings. I think you are deeply hurt by something. Did "Santa" not get you that favorite toy you wanted as a child?

[Jakarta ex-pat]

As one of the few people who "Played" Santa today, in front over 500 kids, I can only say one thing to the "naysayers".

Bah, Humbug!

[bootless]

Well, I am Fox-deprived down here at the office. I have it at home. During 2000, we had Fox via the Internet, and I always had a window open on my desktop. Fun to see the Gore leftists with their exploding heads.

Argh. Sounds like another train wreck. I can just imagine. What did Alan C have to say to/about them?

[luckystarmom]

The girls (twins) kindegarten class hid gold coins and had leprechaun footprints at their school last year. My girls were telling me about it again recently.

I think this will be our last year that our girls believe in Santa. They just turned 7, and my 9 year old is already telling them that there is no Santa. After seeing the movie Elf, my son talked to one of my daughters, she looked at my hubby and I and said "We're on to you, mom and dad". That's the last I heard about it. Now, she's full blown into writing letters to Santa, etc.

First grade is also one of the best years for Santa. They can actually write a Christmas list for the first time. They can write Santa a letter. It's just so much fun!

[Golden Buffalo]

There is nothing wrong with young kids having fun believing in Santa, the Tooth Fairy, etc. Like many subjects this is one best dealt with by parents at the time the parents think is appropriate (or when junior's rotten older brother springs the surprise). For a teacher to step into this zone of privacy and tarnish a fun familiy event that we all know will end all too soon strikes me as poor judgement on the teacher's part at a minimum. Who in their right mind (other than a rotten older brother) would want to ruin a group of 6 year olds belief in something as harmless as Santa? And as for those that think Christmas is only about religion; what planet have you been living on? Merry Christmas...Hrrumph!

[Sam Cree]

[bootless]

I remember when my late dad flew for the airlines, and often had to fly on holidays. Whenever he flew on Christmas Eve, the folks at Dispath would include a special NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to watch out for a sleigh powered by eight tiny reindeer, etc. Santa would also be included in the radar reports, etc. They ALL had a good time with it, and of course, the good crews gave their passengers a little entertainment.

No harm, no foul, lots of fun. I still have one of the teletype strips around here somewhere.

[luckystarmom]

I understand that some people don't want to do Santa. That is their choice, but there is certainly nothing wrong with those of us who like doing Santa for our kids.

For goodness sake, the ones of us that do Santa were called mental children by one person.

I understand that some people think that it takes away from the true meaning of Christmas. Some of our best friends (in the same church) are that way. I respect their choice. However, my family celebrates Christmas differently, and they respect our choice.

My twin daughters were very sick and almost died for their first Christmas. In fact, I was told on Christmas Eve that one of my daughters probably had brain damage.

It was really hard to even celebrate Christmas for the first few years after that. Christmas still brings back bad memories, but I think we counter it with going over-board on that day. Our kids get spoiled. I think we're making up for that first horrible Christmas. Last year, we also made cookies and took toys to the hospital where my girls spent their first Christmas. That's been one of my favorite memories, and my kids enjoyed doing this also.

Everyone has their own special family traditions, and I think there are some pretty intolerant types posting to this thread.

[Aracelis]

The teacher KNEW that many children in that classroom probably had parents who support the myth of Santa Claus as part of childhood, but she went out of her way to destroy that myth to those children. She knew BETTER than the parents over something clearly inconsequential.

Typical Liberal agenda: believe the teacher, not your parents. Insidious and malicious intent, the teacher should be fired.

[luckystarmom]

Try www.emailsanta.com. My kids love it!!! We also go to the Norad website and watch Santa by satellite on Christmas Eve.

[luckystarmom]

Thank you. You have your opinion, but you said it should be left to the parents to decide.

[RightWhale]

Of course there is, are you a moral relativist?

Well, go ahead. Name one.

[RightWhale]

Those statements are kind of not in the spirit of positive truth.

[Iowegian]

I'll take that as a "yes", you are a moral relativist.