Bear seen in L. Makefield; schools on lockdown

Two elementary schools in the Pennsbury School District were put on lockdown yesterday after a bear was seen roaming woods in Lower Makefield.

About 500 children remained inside the Afton and Quarry Hill Elementary Schools for most of the day, and their afternoon buses were canceled, said Ann Langtry, district spokeswoman. An automated phone-calling system told parents that they should pick up their children after dismissal at 3:40 p.m.

District officials closed the schools after being told about sightings of the bear by Lower Makefield police. The bear was first spotted near the border with Upper Makefield and then headed south, said Capt. Thomas Roche of the Lower Makefield police. An officer took a picture of the bear at the Brookfield at Farmview development off Woodside Road, Roche said. "We haven't seen it since," he added. - Kristin E. Holmes