This summer and fall have been full of human encounters with grizzly bears, and folks in Dupuyer don't need to go far to run into one. In fact, the bears walk through town as they follow a creek - which just happens to run behind the school.

Normally, a fence surrounding a school is to keep kids in, but at the school in Dupuyer, it's about what the fence will keep out. Dupuyer fifth-grader Shyanne Munroe said, "It will keep us safe. And what will it keep you safe from? Bears."

Grizzly bears are becoming a bigger problem near Dupuyer, and have even started to show up in town.

Kevin Thomas, Dupuyer School Board chairman, said, "There was a sighting on a porch at the beginning of the year that was just right here a block from the school here. It's nice the community will get ahold of the people here at school and let them know if they do see anything."

The bears follow the Dupuyer Creek east from the Rocky Mountain Front, and Thomas noted, "These bears essentially could be walking within 100 feet of our school."

The school board became more concerned, especially after an attack in the area two years ago, and concluded that a fence was needed.

The fence goes around the entire school property. The final step will be adding gates to completely seal off the school. The fence was paid for by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, an organization called Defenders of Wildlife, and the Dupuyer school. Work started a couple weeks ago and is now wrapping up.

Recess now will seem a little safer, according to teacher Lydia Mild, who noted, "As a teacher you can only run for so long with them, so it's nice to know that I don't have to worry about bears in the back of the school if they happen to be out."

The teacher is also using this as an opportunity to help the students learn about bears; they conducted a mini-field trip recently to learn from biologists about weighing and measuring.

Kaden Thomas, a fourth-grade student, said, "I told the guys that she was waking up because she was breathing and trying to lift up her head and it was pretty scary."

Teacher Mild said, "I think it was a realization to the kids that they aren't pets. They are fast. They are strong. It's good for the kids to be aware of what you are dealing with that could be in these bushes."

At least now there is five-feet of fencing separating the kids and what could be in the bushes. The school says they will monitor the situation to see how well the fence works; if there are problems they will look into putting a hot wire on some of the fence.

Dupuyer is located about 90 miles northwest of Great Falls.