MEMPHIS, Tenn. — 30 elementary school students got sick at Treadwell Elementary School Monday after a student brought pepper spray to school and sprayed it into the air of the school cafeteria, according to the Memphis Fire Department and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Memphis Fire said they responded to Treadwell after about 30 kids at the school complained of sickness and throwing up, after what they called a "chemical agent" was used in the cafeteria. No one had to be taken to the hospital.
MSCS sent a call to parents, saying a student sprayed pepper spray into the air in the cafeteria. MSCS's safety security team and law enforcement were alerted, and students who were there were checked out by medical professionals. No one was injured, MSCS said.
"The District is handling this matter in accordance with State law and District policy," MSCS said in the call. "Safety is our top priority at Treadwell, and that is why we thought it was important for you to hear (from us) directly."
The school district said they will use the incident as a "teachable moment" to reinforce the message to students that pepper spray and mace are not allowed on school property.