Seven and eight year olds, studying geography, were curious about the North Pole. They started asking their teacher at George Miller Elementary in New York questions about Santa's home.

The teacher's icy words sent many of the kids home in tears. She told them there is no Santa Claus and parents put presents under the tree, not St. Nick.

The educator, Leatrice Ann Eng, has been making calls to each of the students' parents this weekend to apologize for her comment to students, according to a Rockland County newspaper.

The school district hasn't said whether the teacher will be disciplined. They say it's an "internal matter," but when parents get upset and start talking to the media a little internal matter can lead to a public debate over a teacher's place in supporting or breaking a belief and tradition for many families.

"It’s outrageous that a teacher would strip a child of their innocence and try and demystify something," parent Margaret Fernandez told The New York Post.

Other parents say they're embarrassed that their school is making national headlines for this. "It's sad; she was wrong," Irene Hoffman, told the local NBC affiliate. "The whole thing is being blown out of proportion. I think we should focus on our children's education, and just move on."

And you say?...

AP photo of Santa Claus at the North Pole getting ready to open letters from children.

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