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A letter to parents is causing trouble for an elementary school principal in Litchfield Park, near Phoenix.

The letter tells parents to turn off the television and pay attention. It also calls the students "lazy and stupid."

Principal Ron Sterr sent the letter to families of a second grade class at Litchfield elementary.

It reads, "the math we do is really easy. If your child is either too lazy or too stupid to finish it in class, I'm sending it home."

One recipient says, "Wow then it goes on to make fun of peanut allergies and dead puppies."

In the letter, the principal refers to a child who lost a dog saying, "We ask no one wear anything resembling puppy fur or that is red and flat."

Katrina Kraushar, a grandmother of one student says, "I don't find it funny and I think anyone that does find it funny they should be ashamed of themselves."

Sterr says he sent it to one teacher as a joke. However, it was inadvertently photocopied and passed out to children.

"If that's how he wants to run his school he does not need to be in this school district ever," Kraushar says.

The superintendent says, "The Litchfield School District renders its most sincere apology. We are taking specific steps to remedy this situation."

The principal says the letter in no way reflects his views and claims he was "mocking" a former parent and trying to make light of a difficult situation.

He is on administrative leave, faces a demotion, and a possible termination.

According to the school district he has called every parent individually to apologize.