A bear sighting in Ossining kept students indoors at a nearby elementary school this morning.

A large black bear was photographed near Croton Dam Road in a resident's backyard trying to make a snack out of a bird feeder, and also on Ryder Road.

The Ossining school superintendent asked teachers at Brookside Elementary to keep their students indoors until school ended because of the bear.

Police were on hand at the school, and watched as buses and parents picked up the kids. They also stepped up patrols with some additional cars making rounds.

Ossining's police chief is urging the public not to panic, calling this a regular occurrence this time of year. "Most of the animals are just looking for food, so the best way to avoid an interaction with them is to just to eliminate any food sources; keep your garbage indoors," says Chief Kevin Sylvester.

Sylvester says if you do come across a bear, stay calm, head indoors, and call them immediately at (914) 941-4099.