Students, teachers, and staff at a Fretz Middle School in Bradford are still talking about an unusual visitor to their building last week.  A young black bear broke into the school and roamed the hallways while everyone was home for the night.

It was just before nine o' clock last Thursday night when a young black bear decided he was going to find out what it's like to go to school.  The bear knocked out a pane of thick glass on a front door and proceeded to show himself around the empty hallways.  Security video captured his movements.

"He wanted to see what's going on in here.  It was kind of neat to see him. He was kind of looking around.  I think he wanted to stay,” said Tina Slaven, School Principal.
  

The bear walked through the front foyer where hundreds of kids walked just a few hours before. The young animal took a walk down a long hallway and seemed fascinated with his reflection in another glass door.  But, he spooked himself and took off running. After three and a half minutes, the bear left the building at the same spot in which he entered.

It's not surprising that a bear would want to break into the school.  The woods are only a few yards away.

"Whether it's deer, coyote, bobcats, I've seen all kinds of things coming in in the morning, but never inside.  Never inside,” said Jamey Miller, School Custodian.
   

Bradford is bear country and most people in town will tell you that they've seen a black bear at close range…even on their own property. Those people include Max Matheson, an eighth grader at Fretz Middle School.

"The last time I saw a bear it was in my backyard but it's been a long time.  Mostly I just see deer, a lot of turkey,” he said.
   

In fact, school officials were not going to tell anyone about their nighttime visitor, thinking it was no big deal.  They later decided to share the security video to tell the world about their special school.

"Fretz is such a wonderful place to learn and grow even the bears are knocking the doors down to get in,” Slaven said.