Bear prompts Gwinnett elementary school to limit outdoor activities

A bear sighting on the Suwanee Greenway caused nearby Suwanee Elementary School to limit outdoor activities for students Friday, a Gwinnett County Public Schools spokeswoman said.

The bear was spotted early Friday afternoon. When school administrators learned of the sighting, they decided to limit outdoor activities as a precaution, said Sloan Roach, a district spokeswoman.

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Students were not allowed on the playground, but were still permitted to play on the blacktop near the school building, Roach said. Suwanee Elementary School’s principal is also sending a notice about the bear and the safety measures taken home to parents.

The school was never on lockdown and the bear was not seen at the school, Roach said.

Custodians at Suwanee Elementary have ensured that garbage is not on playgrounds and that garbage cans are empty. Garbage can attract hungry black bears to places they do not usually go.

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As school begins in Gwinnett County Monday, students have a place to get food if they do not have anything to eat at home.

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