Middle schooler hurt in altercation during lunch, school placed on temporary lockdown

A seventh grader is recovering in the hospital after a physical altercation between students during the lunch period at a Montgomery County middle school.

A female student was attacked from behind with a 40-ounce Stanley brand mug, according to a source who spoke with NBC10. The attack is alleged to be unprovoked.

Pennbrook Middle School principal Nick Taylor alerted families about the incident that happened just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Many parents of students at the school say their kids are traumatized after witnesses the assault.

"As a parent, your worst fear comes to light when you get that call from your kid crying in school, ‘mom, help me. I’m scared there’s blood everywhere," Stephanie Palovack said.

According to Taylor, the school was placed on lockdown for about eight minutes while security and staff responded to the incident as police and first responders made their way to the school.

"The girl who got attacked didn’t see it because she was faced backwards and all the sudden you just hear these terrible, loud bangs of the Stanley bouncing off her head," one student who witnessed the assault said.

One of the students involved in the incident was taken to a nearby hospital for their injuries. They are back home continuing to recover.

Superintendent Todd M. Bauer shared an update later on Wednesday where he explained that the school administration is working with law enforcement while they investigate the incident.

"As a school district, we aspire to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for our students and staff," Bauer said in a statement.

Bauer explained that he has been in contact with the injured student's family as well as the family of the other student involved since the incident.

Principal Taylor met with students from every grade on Thursday morning to discuss what happened and share more information on counselors to help students deal with the incident.

Many showed up to Thursday night's monthly school board meeting unsatisfied with their handling of the situation and demanding answers about what happened before the attack.

"My questions are, ‘my daughter went to counselors at 9:00 in the morning, twice, and told them this attack was coming today at lunch. It was known," one father said.

Some, like parent Alyssa Santiago who says her child was threatened by the same student earlier this week, says Wednesday's attack could have been prevented.

"I called the school on two separate occasions. Tuesday and Wednesday to inform them of this child who was going to ‘curb stomp’ my daughter or make my daughter bite the curb. And I was assured that my daughter was safe," Santiago said.

A district spokesperson told NBC10 that they are unable to comment about what was said during Thursday's meeting and they will release more information if and when they can.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.