Residents who live near Maywood Middle School, located on the north side of the Cedar River, just east of Renton city limits, are being warned about a cougar-sighting Wednesday near the school.

School officials sent a letter home to parents today saying that one of the animals was seen near the school at 169th Avenue Southeast and 142nd Street, as well as near a new construction project at 140th and 172nd.

The email offers the following reminders to discuss with children:

• Students should always walk to and from school in groups, preferably with at least one adult.

• They should not interact with any unknown animal.

• They should never feed an unknown animal.

• They should report any unknown animal sighting to you or to us.

• On the weekends, and after school, these simple precautions can make their play safe as well.

Animal control experts have listed several additional precautions residents can take during this spring season when bear and coyote sightings are frequently reported:

• Keep garbage and compost piles securely covered.

• Keep pet food and water inside and keep pets indoors or confined in a kennel or covered exercise yard.

• Do not feed wildlife on the ground, keep wild bird seed in elevated feeders designed for birds, and clean up spilled seed from the ground;

• Do not feed feral cats; coyotes prey on the cats and feed on cat food left out for them.

• Minimize ground cover vegetation near children’s play areas, to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that in turn attract coyotes

• Use noise-making devices when coyotes are seen. Check with local authorities regarding noise and weapons ordinances.