An emergency medical services plan 1 was called, sending at least five ambulances to Fairfield Elementary School at 6201 S. Fairfield Ave. after reports that a harmful spray was released in the classroom, the officials said.
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"I noticed that the windows were open and some students were having, like, some students were coughing and getting nauseous," said Shamiah Cooper, eighth grade student.
Cooper, who has asthma, also got sick. Her family rushed to the CPS elementary school to pick her up after being notified about the incident.
"I was at work and they called saying it was an issue, classmates spraying something in the classroom and that the students were having a hard time breathing," said her mother Ashley Cooper.
Crews determined the cause was a "stink bomb," according to officials.
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Although firefighters said the spray was non-toxic, three students having breathing problems were taken to Holy Cross Hospital, two in good to fair condition and another in fair to serious, officials said. The transports were largely "precautionary," according to officials.
Thirteen other students and one adult were evaluated at the scene and are expected to be OK.
"I'm just glad all the students are OK ad that they solved the issue," said Doris Cooper, grandmother.
Coopers mom said the school needs to increase security efforts. In an email to parents, Fairfield's principal said, "Safety is always my top priority...a member of our community released a spray with a bad odor in a classroom. Staff immediately intervened...We will continue to handle this matter in accordance with CPS policy."
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report