A prank by a student involving pepper spray caused the evacuation of Springvalley Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 26. 

Kevin Kaardal, Central Okanagan Public Schools superintendent/CEO, said the pepper spray vapours spread into the Kelowna school foyer, and the students were evacuated out of an abundance of caution. 

"Initially we did not know what the odour was or where it was coming from so we cleared the school as a safety precaution, and an hour and a half later the students were back in class," Kaardal said. 

The Kelowna Fire Department responded to the scene, and after identifying pepper spray as the issue, informed the school district operations staff on scene how to ventilate the building and clean up the washroom where the incident originated, Kaardal said. 

He said the lone student involved has been suspended and will face a further discipline process. 

"This is something we take very seriously because it involves the safety of students. Whether it was done out of curiosity, or as a prank or whatever, it is not okay," he said. 

Evacuated from the school, some students were picked up by their parents, while most others were put up in the neighbouring Springvalley Elementary gymnasium to participate in various activities until it was deemed safe to return to their school. 

"The school managed the situation well," Kaardal said. "Thanks to the school administrative team and the fire department for their quick response, and to the operations staff for getting there quickly to do the clean-up so the students could return to class."