Incident at Odessa Shannon MS

[Anonymous]

Not a popular argument but…..

If a child has special needs and is disruptive to other children, they might need a different placement with more supervision for all classes.

I am not blaming the child. I AM BLAMING MCPS. If a 12 year old has special needs preventing him from knowing throwing a ball repeatedly at another student is not okay, the student needs a contained classroom. MCPS is setting up the student for academic failure.

Special needs students may not have the social skills to integrate with peers at age appropriate norms. This can lead to bullying and in worst case scenarios physically dangerous situations.

I know the popular opinion is against self contained classes. However, this is sometimes the best way to educate and maintain a safe environment for special needs students.

This story is horrifying. I hope Lenny has a full recovery. I hope his family is getting legal and financial help. This should have never happened.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe you're suggesting that Lenny might have needed an alternative placement, not the attacker who threw a metal object at his head??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a popular argument but…..

If a child has special needs and is disruptive to other children, they might need a different placement with more supervision for all classes.

I am not blaming the child. I AM BLAMING MCPS. If a 12 year old has special needs preventing him from knowing throwing a ball repeatedly at another student is not okay, the student needs a contained classroom. MCPS is setting up the student for academic failure.

Special needs students may not have the social skills to integrate with peers at age appropriate norms. This can lead to bullying and in worst case scenarios physically dangerous situations.

I know the popular opinion is against self contained classes. However, this is sometimes the best way to educate and maintain a safe environment for special needs students.

This story is horrifying. I hope Lenny has a full recovery. I hope his family is getting legal and financial help. This should have never happened.

He may have not needed a special placement but Mcps does not provide enough supervision.

[Anonymous]

This was way more than throwing an object if this child needs multiple surgeries. When is MCPS going to improve safety and supervision?

https://www.mymcmedia.org/seriously-injured-mcps-student-returns-home/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you're suggesting that Lenny might have needed an alternative placement, not the attacker who threw a metal object at his head??

It is HORRIBLE what happened to this victim, and it is unacceptable for a student to hit another student, especially with a piece of metal. However, unless you have all the facts, maybe don’t be so quick to judge. IF the victim was autistic and IF they were repeatedly hitting another student with a ball, it is quite possible they need to be in an environment where they receive more support.

Also, for everyone demanding this is the fault of the teacher, please spend time volunteering and report back how enjoyable the experience was for you! While I am not a fan of MCPS, their hands are somewhat tied because of MSDE. MCPS got called out for having too many SpEd students in special programs or self contained classrooms. LRE for SpEd does not equal General Ed classroom all of the time. We have many students we have tried to get alternative placements to better support their needs (academic and behavioral), yet are told over and over again by MCPS to “try new strategies.”

I have no idea if either student had special needs but just wanted to point out we don’t have the full story — and, if the victim (or aggressor) have been identified as needing special education services, it is very unlikely they would be approved for a special placement, even if they needed more support than a gen ed teacher / setting could provide.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely horrifying.

What is the deal with allowing parent volunteers in MCPS now? Pre-covid (early elementary) it was super-encouraged (and super-needed at recess, lunch, and in classrooms).

Decades ago it was encouraged and needed as well.

Why not now? Is this an MCPS thing or school-dependent?

i would gladly volunteer pro bono multiple hours a week. However, am about to pull my kid for homeschooling....

[Anonymous]

In that, it's a good source of needed free labor. Why isn't it utilized?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you're suggesting that Lenny might have needed an alternative placement, not the attacker who threw a metal object at his head??

Yeah, this. What's wrong with you PPs who are attacking the victim and defending brutal and irresponsible actions by another child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you're suggesting that Lenny might have needed an alternative placement, not the attacker who threw a metal object at his head??

It is HORRIBLE what happened to this victim, and it is unacceptable for a student to hit another student, especially with a piece of metal. However, unless you have all the facts, maybe don’t be so quick to judge. IF the victim was autistic and IF they were repeatedly hitting another student with a ball, it is quite possible they need to be in an environment where they receive more support.

Also, for everyone demanding this is the fault of the teacher, please spend time volunteering and report back how enjoyable the experience was for you! While I am not a fan of MCPS, their hands are somewhat tied because of MSDE. MCPS got called out for having too many SpEd students in special programs or self contained classrooms. LRE for SpEd does not equal General Ed classroom all of the time. We have many students we have tried to get alternative placements to better support their needs (academic and behavioral), yet are told over and over again by MCPS to “try new strategies.”

I have no idea if either student had special needs but just wanted to point out we don’t have the full story — and, if the victim (or aggressor) have been identified as needing special education services, it is very unlikely they would be approved for a special placement, even if they needed more support than a gen ed teacher / setting could provide.

I would have gladly volunteered, especially with SPED. Our ES and MS wouldn't allow it... makes you wonder what they had to hide.

So, yes, I expect proper supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you're suggesting that Lenny might have needed an alternative placement, not the attacker who threw a metal object at his head??

Yeah, this. What's wrong with you PPs who are attacking the victim and defending brutal and irresponsible actions by another child?

The attacker should be expelled and charged with the attack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely horrifying.

What is the deal with allowing parent volunteers in MCPS now? Pre-covid (early elementary) it was super-encouraged (and super-needed at recess, lunch, and in classrooms).

Decades ago it was encouraged and needed as well.

Why not now? Is this an MCPS thing or school-dependent?

i would gladly volunteer pro bono multiple hours a week. However, am about to pull my kid for homeschooling....

Precovid our ES wouldn't allow volunteers either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you're suggesting that Lenny might have needed an alternative placement, not the attacker who threw a metal object at his head??

Yeah, this. What's wrong with you PPs who are attacking the victim and defending brutal and irresponsible actions by another child?

The attacker should be expelled and charged with the attack.

+1. I hope the mother filed a police report.

[Anonymous]

More: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/11/11/mcps-middle-school-injured-metal-object/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

[Anonymous]

This GoFundMe is disgusting. The first picture is of her son with wires down his throat and all over the place. It screams "look how injured my child is, give us money!" Parents have NO filter over what they post online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This GoFundMe is disgusting. The first picture is of her son with wires down his throat and all over the place. It screams "look how injured my child is, give us money!" Parents have NO filter over what they post online.

What a bizarre comment. Just because you find something distasteful doesn't make it ok for you to anonymously bash the mother of a child with a brain injury. WTAF is wrong with you?