Controversy Erupts After Teacher Tells Students That Santa, Elf On The Shelf Aren't Real

Dec 17, 2018 by apost team

Parents that celebrate Christmas know that there will come a day that they have to tell their children the truth about Santa. While our culture likes to welcome Christmas by celebrating Santa Claus, children will one day learn he's not real. 

The question many parents wonder is, when is the right time to tell children the truth? Moreover, whose responsibility is it to tell children that Santa isn't real?

One substitute teacher in New Jersey certainly found out the hard way. This substitute teacher at Cedar Hill School decided it was time to drop a "truth bomb" on a class of first-grade students. 

After learning of the incident, the school principal reprimanded the teacher and immediately sent out a warning letter to tell parents about the situation.

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Principal Michael Raj wanted to do everything he could to protect the students' childhood innocence during the holiday season. He understood how important it was that children come to their own understanding about holiday traditions. One outraged parent took to Facebook to share about the incident:

"She told them Santa isn't real," the parent wrote. She continued, "She told them reindeer can't fly...elves are not real...Elf on the Shelf is...a pretend doll." 

In addition to ruining the magic of Christmas, the substitute teacher went on to spill the beans about the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and magic.

While the fact of the matter is that the substitute was truthful, parents should be given the opportunity to tell their children the truth when they feel the time is right. 

Whatever motives the substitute had, many parents felt that she effectively crushed the students' spirits, ruining this special time of year for them. Some parents even took to Facebook to express their outrage.

One parent wrote:

"This is awful. Innocence is lost too soon and I would be appalled. Another demanded that action had to be taken against the substitute teacher. Throw her out now. She is hell-bent on destroying the joy and love of Christmas for little kids." 

While several parents were quite angry, a surprising few were okay with the actions of the substitute teacher.

Many questioned the intentions of parents that are so eager to lie to their children about something as trivial as Santa Claus. Regardless of parents' opinions and the actions of the substitute, some community members are working on a way to help bring the magic back to the season.

An English teacher from Toms River High - East High School enlisted the help of her students to send letters from Santa Claus to the first graders. The Superintendent, Rene Rovtar, explained just how special holiday traditions are and how disheartening the substitute's actions were. 

What a way to welcome the holiday season! What do you think about the situation? Tell us in the comments and pass this on to your friends and loved ones to see what their opinion is as well.