Park Slope Teacher Tells First-Graders Santa Isn't Real: Report

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A Park Slope substitute teacher reportedly was booted from class this week for bringing the opposite of holiday cheer to school.

The sub at P.S. 321 sent kids home crying Monday when he told the first-grade class that Santa and the Tooth Fairy aren't real, parents told News12.

“Stuff like this — that their parents lie to them — is damaging to kids,” one mom told the station. “It’s three weeks before Christmas. These kids are 6 years old.”

The teacher apparently told the upsetting news to the class during a lesson about "convincing," but it ended up being the principal who was convinced he should not teach the kids again.

The principal, Liz Phillips, told parents in a letter obtained by News12 that she would guarantee the substitute will not be allowed in the class again.

"We take this very seriously," Phillips wrote, adding that the school will investigate the teacher.

Parents told the station that their kids understand that everyone has different beliefs but didn't appreciate having the "magic of childhood" shattered.

"Santa is very much real and alive in all parents and children who believe," the parent said.