Teacher Naughty For Telling Kids There's No Santa? -- Parents Think So, React Angrily: `Nobody Has The Right To Rape Our Kids Of That Belief'

KENT - Gym teacher David Henry probably won't make it on some parents' Christmas list. He's in hot water for apparently telling his elementary-school students - including kindergartners - that there is no Santa Claus.

"The line of parents outside the principal's office this morning was amazing," one mother said on Tuesday. "The line of people looking for Mr. Henry was even more amazing."

Angry parents wanted their children removed from Henry's class at Fairwood Elementary School, the Valley Daily News reported today in a copyright story. Some think it's Henry himself who should be removed.

The mother, who did not want her name used, said she had asked to have her daughter pulled from PE class.

"He claims he did nothing wrong, that he told them the truth and we're the ones lying to them," she said. "He should be teaching somersaults, not Santa."

The school's gym teacher for the past 12 years, Henry on Monday is said to have told students in a number of classes that Santa is a phony.

Henry did not return repeated phone calls to his home and school Tuesday and yesterday. Nor did his principal, Audrian Fowler, wish to comment.

Kent School District spokeswoman Judy Parker acknowledged there have been complaints.

"We're investigating it just as we would any complaint," she said. "It's an active personnel matter so I can't say anything."

Parents had plenty to say.

Jill Springer was visiting her son Christopher's kindergarten class Monday when the students returned from gym. They were unusually quiet, she said, and it seemed something was wrong. Later, her son confronted her.

"He said, `Well, now I know the truth. You and Dad are Santa.' I asked who told him. He said the gym teacher," Springer said.

"There's been quite an uproar," Springer said. "I think the majority of this community wants their kids to believe in Santa. Nobody has the right to rape our kids of that belief."

Parent Rob Robson said the biggest problem is the confusion the situation has created in the minds of children.

"They know parents don't lie and teachers don't lie. Then they're put in the position of trying to decide who did what," he said.

One teacher did what she could in the way of damage control the next day, said a parent who did not want her name used.

"Her teacher was wonderful. She read them a story about people who are believers, who can hear the bells ringing. Those who aren't believers don't hear the bells.

"My daughter said to me, `You know, Mom, Mr. Henry doesn't hear the bells.' "