Pepper spray forces brief Islip High class evacuation

A history class at Islip High School was briefly evacuated around 12:45 p.m. Thursday after a 16-year-old girl, showing a can of pepper spray to a classmate, sprayed the substance into the air, according to Suffolk police and a district official.

No injuries were reported. The room was evacuated, and two staff members and five students were taken to a hospital as a precaution, police said.

Students were allowed back after a short while and all students and staff taken to the hospital were later released, school officials said.

The odor was identified as pepper spray, according to a statement from Susan Schnebel, Islip school district superintendent.

The girl, whose name was not released by police, was charged with misdemeanor unlawfully possessing a noxious material, and misdemeanor criminal nuisance. She was also suspended and will be subject to a disciplinary hearing, Schnebel's statement said.

"The safety of our students and staff is a top priority and the district is monitoring the status of the well-being of our students and staff," Schnebel said.