Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Gwinnett students kept inside after bear spotted near school fence

A bear (not pictured) was seen near Jones Middle School on Friday.

Credit: Madeline Gray

Credit: Madeline Gray

A bear (not pictured) was seen near Jones Middle School on Friday.
By Amanda C. Coyne
Oct 20, 2017

Jones Middle School students were kept inside Friday after a bear was spotted near the Buford-area campus, according to a letter sent to parents.

Gwinnett library extending nighttime hours

The bear was seen near a campus fence early Friday morning by a student and a parent. Students were immediately taken inside.

A school resource officer looked for the bear outside, but couldn’t find it, according to the letter sent by Principal Memorie Reesman.

The school restricted outdoor activities for the rest of the day. Sixth grade students were scheduled to participate in “outdoor science activities,” which were canceled.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

In other news:

Authorities said it would help alleviate traffic in the area.

About the Author

Amanda Coyne is a hyperlocal reporter for the AJC, covering Gwinnett County.

Follow Amanda C. Coyne on facebookFollow Amanda C. Coyne on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder is retiring at the end of the year. Her deputy, David Studdard, will take over the office. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Small-town Georgia DA brings almost as many RICO cases as Fulton’s Fani Willis

Griffin Judicial Circuit has brought 13 RICO indictments since June 2020.

1h ago

Sandy Springs police shoot man who pulled gun during assault call, GBI says

Suspect pulled weapon on officers, according to authorities.

Man gets life in prison for 2020 mass shooting at Atlanta ‘street takeover’

Authorities acknowledged Jerry Emile couldn’t have been the only person to fire a weapon during the Fourth of July “street takeover.” But he was the only one convicted.

The Latest

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder is retiring at the end of the year. Her deputy, David Studdard, will take over the office. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Small-town Georgia DA brings almost as many RICO cases as Fulton’s Fani Willis

1h ago

Sandy Springs police shoot man who pulled gun during assault call, GBI says

Man gets life in prison for 2020 mass shooting at Atlanta ‘street takeover’

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta opens door on first modular rapid-housing for homeless residents

The first-of-its-kind development, Waterworks Village, overlooks the nearby reservoir. It's part of Mayor Andre Dickens' initiative to build 500 units of for the unhoused.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Local GOP sees ‘danger’ in a chaotic race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican leaders in Georgia's 14th Congressional District worry a crowded field in a special election could give Democrats a chance to win.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Two centennials, one story: Delta and the Atlanta airport

Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson both turn 100 this year, and you can’t tell the story of one without the other.