Substitute teacher under fire after telling first graders Santa Claus is not real

A substitute teacher in New Jersey is facing criticism after she "ruined" Christmas for her first-grade pupils by saying that Santa Claus isn't real.

Cedar Hill School at the Morris County school district in Montville New Jersey is currently getting a lot of unwanted attention from social media after a substitute teacher decided to tell her first-grade students that there is no such thing as Santa Claus.

After the children rushed home to tell their parents about what their teacher taught them, angry parents started rushing to school to express their disappointment on what happened. Due to the outrage caused, Cedar Hill School Principal Michael Raj needed to send a letter of apology to the parents after the incident, saying that as a parent, he "understands the sensitive nature of the topic".

Speaking to News 12 New Jersey, an upset mom named Myra Sansone-Aboyoun shared how it was heartbreaking to see her 6-year-old daughter Addriana so upset by what happened.

"I was heartbroken. You know, my daughter is the hugest believer in the whole Christmas spirit - Santa, giving."

Of course, Aboyoun made sure to assure her daughter that indeed, there is such thing as Santa Claus.

Aside from concerned parents, Montville Schools Superintendent Rene Rovtar also released a statement saying that she was "troubled and disheartened" by the incident. Rovtar shares how she personally believes that childhood wonder revolves on holidays and traditions and that even she keeps these close to her heart.

As for the unidentified substitute teacher, principal Raj says that he has already spoken to the teacher about her "poor judgment". However, he did not disclose her name or whether or not she was allowed to keep working at the school. Another mom named Lisa Simkova who had a daughter in the class asked people on their internet not to throw negative comments at the substitute teacher as they do not know her situation or perspective.

To make sure the children feel the Christmas spirit despite what happened, an English teacher at Toms River High School names Casey Daniel asked her journalism class for volunteers to write the children individual letters from the "North Pole" as part of their creative writing holiday project.

In the end, all the parents want is for people to learn from the incident and have people believe in the Christmas magic that is composed of acts of kindness, love, positivity, and grace.

"Moral of the story: Just be kind. When in doubt, Always choose being kind, and you will always be in the right."