Third grader at Lincoln elementary school pepper sprayed by student, LPS officials say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A third-grade student at Everett Elementary School was sprayed with pepper spray by another student on Wednesday, Lincoln Public Schools officials said.

After school on Wednesday, Mike Long, the school’s principal, sent a letter to families detailing the incident.

The school said a student sprayed another student with a keychain-sized pepper spray that had been brought to school by another classmate.

Long said they immediately evacuated the area, and the health office staff evaluated the student who was sprayed.

The school said the student responsible has been identified and will be facing “appropriate school consequences.”

“Families, we need your help,” Long said in the letter. “Please have a conversation with your child about what is and what is not appropriate to bring to school. Pepper spray is not allowed on school property as it is considered a weapon. Students who have this on school property could face appropriate school consequences.”

The full letter from Long can be found below:

Families,

We want to make you aware of an incident today in case your child comes home and expresses concerns.

A student sprayed another student with a keychain sized pepper spray that had been brought to school by a classmate. We immediately evacuated the area and the health office staff evaluated the student sprayed. Their family was contacted, as well as the families of the other students involved. The student responsible has been identified and will be facing appropriate school consequences.

Families, we need your help. Please have a conversation with your child about what is and what is not appropriate to bring to school. Pepper spray is not allowed on school property as it is considered a weapon. Students who have this on school property could face appropriate school consequences. Pepper spray could also cause a severe adverse health reaction for people – especially those who are allergic or have asthma. Please refer to our Important Information Booklet for more information.

School safety takes a community. If you or your student see or hear a safety concern, please contact a staff member, use the green Safe to Say button on the LPS website, Safe2Help Nebraska at 833-980-7233, or call Lincoln Police at (402) 441-6000. 

Mike Long, Principal