The santa thread

[Aeson]

As a kid I believed in Santa. I can't remember when it was reveled to me that he did not exsist. I think it started as with many, an older mean kid told me and I asked my parents for the truth.

As I got older I thought it was mean to tell children there was in fact a Santa Claus then tell them later it was all make believe. I'm torn now, will I tell my kids if I ever have any or just not go through it. At this point I think I'll try not to lie to my children. Even little white harmless lies can do damage.

As for the news story. I think it was a slow news day for them and the reporter had nothing better to do than pick on the teacher. Also I think the teacher should not be the one to tell the kids if Santa is real or not. I'm big on parents taking responsiblity for their kids and their rearing of said kids.

 

[fett527]

umm..... ok.....

again, got a link? I'd like to read the original article.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

got a link?

--Curious Spikey

Sorry, tried searching the paper's site, but nada.

 

[fett527]

Sorry, tried searching the paper's site, but nada.

I found it (or an article on it). Google is our friend:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/richardson/stories/121505dnmetnosanta.bacb8fc.html

Teacher takes back no-Santa statement
Richardson ISD: Parents angry, but official says remark was 'a mistake'



06:47 AM CST on Thursday, December 15, 2005
By KRISTINE HUGHES / The Dallas Morning News



Yes, Richland Elementary School, there is a Santa Claus.

The music teacher who told a first-grade class at the Richardson school Monday that Santa is a mythological figure recanted her story Tuesday after school officials began getting calls from parents.

"She told the students that in fact she had heard from Santa, and he wanted to reassure them that he is alive and well in the spirit of Christmas," said Jeanne Guerra, Richardson school district spokeswoman.

Ms. Guerra said the teacher, who teaches part time at Richland and other Richardson schools, misspoke during a lesson about holiday traditions.

Ms. Guerra said district administrators think the class was discussing how Christmas presents were delivered. The teacher apparently told students that parents provide the presents.

One student quickly disputed that theory.

The teacher then changed the subject when she realized what she said and the age of the students. The district declined to identify the teacher, who will face no disciplinary action.

Still, the remark upset a few dozen parents, spurring angry phone calls and prompting the district to publicly support Kriss Kringle.

"Santa Claus is an important part of the holiday season for many children," a district statement said.

Tresia Eaves, whose 9-year-old son goes to Richland, said parents should be the ones to decide what a child is told about Santa and when.

"My son still believes, and by God he should be able to," she said. "Reality comes soon enough."

Ms. Guerra and officials at other districts said they don't have policies on how teachers should address Santa.

"Our first obligation is to follow state law," said Tim Carroll, a McKinney school spokesman. "After that, it's to use common sense."

Ms. Guerra said teachers also should weigh students' culture, diversity and family beliefs.

"If a student asks, teachers usually respond by asking the student 'What do you think?' or 'What does your family say?' " Ms. Guerra said.

"She made a mistake."

 

[CarlZog]

well, its not a paper I held a great deal of respect for before this, but definitly part of a downward slide... :\

This story is a somewhat sad reflection on the state we've come to since the New York Sun first tackled this issue.

Carl

 

[Aeson]

Should the teacher have recanted? Are the students going to listen to her in the future when she goes against something they believe in again?

 

[WayneLigon]

They should have just reprinted Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.

It was always presented to me as a real, literal fact. I don't remember when I kinda of 'worked it out on my own', but Mom said she never did have to explicitly tell me there was no such thing, for which she was grateful. I don't recall ever really thinking of the other childhood beings as 'real and actual' though. I've heard annecdotes (read: not sure if these people are not just attention whores) of people who say silly things like 'I never trusted my parents after that'.

If that's a real and actual feeling, they just need to be put up against the wall.

 

[EricNoah]

I hope they don't re-assign her to teach, say, Biology in, say, Kansas! That will be really confusing!

 

[Aeson]

I hope they don't re-assign her to teach, say, Biology in, say, Kansas! That will be really confusing!

Or Georgia.

 

[Desdichado]

For the non-americans (and non-christians) on the board,

What does Santa Claus have to do with the Christian element of Christmas? If anything, IMO, Santa represents the secular side of the holiday.