Pine Lake Middle School in Sammamish sent out a message Thursday notifying residents that a bear was spotted near the school.

Witnesses said they saw the animal on Issaquah Pine Lake Road by the fire station.

The school asks parents to continually remind their children they are in the presence of wildlife every time they walk to and from school or play outside their home. In the event they encounter a wild animal students are advised to never make direct eye-contact, never turn and run away from a wild animal and slowly back away while making themselves appear as big as possible.

Potentially dangerous wild animals can be reported to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Dangerous Animal Hotline at 1-800-477-6224.