Bellevue school on alert after bear sighting
BELLEVUE, Wash. - A bear sighting near a Bellevue elementary school on Thursday has put kids and teachers there on alert.
"Some of them are excited that there is a bear around here, and some of them are scared," says Yasin Rashad, a student at Richard Bennett Elementary in Bellevue.
Liza Jones, another student, says, "One of my friends is really creeped out."
And Jake Liming, another student, says, "They're really, really scared to go on the soccer field now."
On Thursday, the school sent home a letter telling parents a black bear was seen near the school grounds around 12:45 in the afternoon.
Bellevue police first spotted the bear near less than a block from the school. They immediately called school administrators, who surrounded the campus with staff members to make sure the bear couldn't get anywhere near the kids.
Also, to be on the safe side, the school held recess inside.
One parent, Sharon Jones, says, "I was amazed that a letter came home that same day, and I also got a phone call from the school around noon and that impressed me."
The bear sighting just before trick-or-treat does have some parents nervous.
"Because of kids going outside tonight and tomorrow night, anything be happen you know," says parent Anwar Rashad.
Many parents are just telling their kids to steer clear if they see the bear.
"They're more scared of us than we are of them," says parent David Liming. "It's usually when you surprise animals ... that you have a big problem."
But at least one student says there is one costume he won't go near on Halloween night.
Says Jake Liming, "No, I'm not going to go as a bear!"
"Some of them are excited that there is a bear around here, and some of them are scared," says Yasin Rashad, a student at Richard Bennett Elementary in Bellevue.
Liza Jones, another student, says, "One of my friends is really creeped out."
And Jake Liming, another student, says, "They're really, really scared to go on the soccer field now."
On Thursday, the school sent home a letter telling parents a black bear was seen near the school grounds around 12:45 in the afternoon.
Bellevue police first spotted the bear near less than a block from the school. They immediately called school administrators, who surrounded the campus with staff members to make sure the bear couldn't get anywhere near the kids.
Also, to be on the safe side, the school held recess inside.
One parent, Sharon Jones, says, "I was amazed that a letter came home that same day, and I also got a phone call from the school around noon and that impressed me."
The bear sighting just before trick-or-treat does have some parents nervous.
"Because of kids going outside tonight and tomorrow night, anything be happen you know," says parent Anwar Rashad.
Many parents are just telling their kids to steer clear if they see the bear.
"They're more scared of us than we are of them," says parent David Liming. "It's usually when you surprise animals ... that you have a big problem."
But at least one student says there is one costume he won't go near on Halloween night.
Says Jake Liming, "No, I'm not going to go as a bear!"