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Substitute Teacher Tells First Grade Class Santa 'Isn't Real'

For many of us, the legend of Santa Claus is a holiday tradition we remember fondly and want to pass on to our children. However, a number of parents are speaking out after one teacher pulled a grinchy move and told an entire class that Santa wasn't real.

Many families who celebrate Christmas include the legend of Santa Claus in their traditions.

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The modern-day Santa has his origins in religious figures like Saint Nicholas where worshippers would celebrate annual feasts in his honor with small gifts.

All over the world, countries have their own variation of Santa Claus.

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Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, and Père Nöel are just some of the names Santa goes by in other parts of the world.

In North America today, children grow up knowing that Santa delivers presents on Christmas Eve with the help of his reindeer and elves.

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Belief in this tradition has been an on-going debate between parents for some time. Some think it is misleading to children and "tricks" them into behaving for toys.

While experts have said most children outgrow the legend of Santa by age eight, most adults know not to spoil the fun for younger kids.

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It's somewhat of an unspoken agreement among adults to let kids believe in Santa until they're ready to stop.

Parents have expressed anger and sadness after one substitute teacher broke this rule.

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A substitute teacher at Cedar Hill School in New Jersey reportedly told a class of first-graders that Santa "isn't real".

Parents took to social media to express their dismay over the incident.

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According to social media posts, the teacher told the children that parents were the ones who put presents under the tree, not Santa.

The school's principal sent a letter home to parents confirming that the incident happened.

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As a parent himself, principal Michael Raj said he understood the "sensitive nature" of the issue.

For parents of children in the classroom, the incident was upsetting.

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The teacher also reportedly told students that traditions like the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren't real either.

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