A teacher in New York state has apologized for breaking the news to her second-graders that there is no Santa Claus, the White Plains Journal reports.

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The newspaper said Leatrice Ann Eng of Pear River, who teaches at Nanuet's George W. Miller Elementary School issued her apology Wednesday, the day after she allegedly spilled the beans about Santa.

School and district officials found themselves peppered with questions after word spread that Eng had told her young students Santa did not exist and Christmas presents came from their parents. Her disclosure came after the kids told her they knew about the North Pole because that is where Santa lives.

The Journal said school officials are keeping their lips zipped.

"This matter is being discussed internally, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further," Superintendent Mark McNeill told the newspaper last week.

Some Nanuet parents also were mum on the subject when contacted Sunday, the Journal said.

"The people who live in this town are sick and tired of hearing about it," said Maureen Nicolich, a member of the Nanuet Elementary PTA. "Drop it."