BELLEVUE, Wash. -- A black bear was spotting walking down a street in northeast Bellevue Thursday afternoon, a few miles from an elementary school.

A letter was sent out to parents of children at Bennett Elementary School that said the bear was seen at about 12:30 p.m. while students were in class.

School officials kept the students inside during the 1:50 p.m. recess.

The school called families of children who normally walk home from school and staff circled the school campus at the end of the school day to ensure the students' safety.

The letter said parents should consider their child's route to and from school.

The school is at 156th Street and Northeast 24th near the Bellevue-Redmond border, not far from Microsoft.