A few Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board schools have been placed under a shelter-in-place order after a bear was seen in the area.

The shelter order was issued by the board around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday and includes the following schools:

• Bishop E.Q. Jennings Senior Elementary School
• St. Patrick High School
• St. Elizabeth Elementary School

The schools will remain under shelter-in-place until the board is advised that there are no safety concerns.

All students and staff are safe inside the building.

The board says there has been a high number of bear sightings this year.

They are reminding everyone to take extra caution on their walk to and from school and are asking you to consider:

• Walking in a group when possible
• Avoid wearing headphones so you can stay alert
• Do not approach or feed bears
• If you see a bear, stay calm, back away slowly, and seek a safe place

Bear sightings can be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise Line at 1-866-514-2327.