A small-town elementary school in North Texas has ended an unusual tradition — birthday spankings — after parent complaints.

For the past eight years, KTVT-TV (Channel 11) reports, students have been called to Principal Bridget Williams' office at Alvord Elementary School, 50 miles northwest of Fort Worth, on their birthdays to receive a spank for each year. They also get candy and a special pencil.

In April, after two complaints about the practice, Williams sent a letter home to parents saying that they could opt their children out of the spankings by sending a handwritten note to the school.

The letter noted that students at the Wise County school always had the option of getting a hug or a high five instead, but that only a handful made that choice.

"When we celebrate each child and their special day all parties are in the main office in front of the camera," the letter read. "There are no off camera celebrations and there are always other adults in the office celebrating with us all."

A number of parents told KTVT that they supported the spankings.

"I think it's a fun tradition," said Lana Simmons, who has children at Alvord Elementary. "My kids love it. They always look forward to it."

"If it was a big deal to the kids, they would've brought it up way before now," parent Jessica Meador told the station.

Despite the support, Alvord ISD's superintendent, Randy Brown, told the TV station the principal was ending the celebratory spankings because there were more important things to focus on.

Parents in Alvord, with a population of about 1,400, suggested that perhaps those who complained just didn't understand.

"They're not used to a small-town community, and that's what we are," Heather Redder told KTVT. "People that move here from the big city — they don't realize, and they're not used to this."