from: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/news/articles/1214santa14.html

Santa flap a close call for teacher

Associated Press
Dec. 14, 2002

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Much to the dismay of some parents, officials at an elementary school will not discipline a substitute teacher who told kindergartners that there is no Santa Claus.

The teacher, Fabiola Mehu-Pelissier, was reading a holiday storybook to students at Forest Hills Elementary School on Tuesday when the group began discussing the existence of Santa Claus, School Board spokesman Kirk Engelhard said.

"No policies or rules were violated, but she obviously used poor judgment," Engelhard said.

Melissa Shea, whose 5-year-old daughter, Hayley, is in the class, said school officials refused a request made by some parents that Mehu-Pelissier not be allowed back in the class.

"I feel like no matter what I do or say now, the seed of doubt has been planted in Hayley's head," Shea said. "I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to undo it, and Christmas is everything in my family."

Mehu-Pelissier could not be reached for comment.

School officials said they will send a Santa Claus, complete with a natural, full, white beard, into the classroom Friday to make up for the teacher's poor judgment.