Hampton Elementary Student Faces Discipline Over Novelty Fireworks

Disciplinary action is pending against an elementary school student who disrupted the school day Tuesday at Hampton Elementary School when a popular party novelty discharged.

Charles Herndon, a Baltimore County Public Schools spokesman, said the unidentified student brought the novelty sometimes called poppers or snap-its in a fake soda can that had a false bottom.

"Some how either the can was thrown or dropped and it popped," Herndon said, adding that it "sounded like someone had popped a bag."

The sound resulted in teachers calling 911 and police and fire officials quickly responding.

Herndon responded to questions about the incident after parents contacted Patch saying their children were speaking of a "home-made explosive device" that discharged on school grounds.

"It's really not on the level of an explosive device but it is on the level of firecrackers and we still take it seriously," Herndon said. "It's something that we absolutely don't want anywhere near our schools."

The item contains a small amount of high explosive and gravel but is generally considered safe enough that they are sold to small children.

Herndon said the principal "will wrap up her investigation Wednesday and make a decision on the appropriate disciplinary action."

The principal will also likely send a letter home to parents that afternoon explaining the incident, Herndon said.