School Lockout: 2 Grade Schools Had Uninvited–And Furry–Visitors

BOULDER, CO – It's not what most people would consider an everyday sort of school lockout. The threat Monday at Flatirons and Uni Hill Elementary Schools in Boulder wasn't guns or mayhem, but bears.

Students at the two elementary schools in Boulder were briefly placed on lockout on Monday after a mother black bear and her three cubs were seen in the area. According to Facebook posts from the Boulder Valley School District, the lockout at Uni Hill was quickly lifted after wildlife officials were unable to find the bears in the area. They were later discovered to have moved further toward the foothills and were located in Flatirons' territory shortly after 2 p.m.

En route, the bears appear to have passed by the corner of 16th and Baseline, where local mom, Megan Boyle, was able to catch the bears on video. She posted the video of the bear family to her own Facebook page with the observation, "Meanwhile in Boulder... it’s not weapons that put us on lockdown today. It’s the big mamma bear and her sweet 3 cubs wandering near my baby’s playground."

According to Boulder Valley School District website, "During a Lockout, the danger is considered to be outside of the building. School personnel ensure all perimeter doors are locked and bring any students involved in outside activities indoors. Learning and other activities continue, as normal."

Flatirons students were later released at their regular time under the advice of Boulder Animal Protection officers who were monitoring the bears had and stationed additional personnel in the area.

This is the second time in as many weeks that bears have made their presence felt in the Flatirons Elementary Area. One online commenter to the school districts' announcement, Patti Guilford, noted, "Happened a lot when I taught at Flatirons."

Image via Shutterstock