A calm morning at Amherst Junior High School took a dramatic turn around 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, when a deer charged through a large cafeteria window at full speed, according to an announcement and a Facebook update from Amherst Exempted Village Schools. Thanks to quick action from school staff and the Amherst Police Department, the unexpected situation was promptly managed.
Several students and staff were already in the cafeteria preparing for breakfast when the deer crashed into the building. Despite the chaos, no significant injuries were reported, and the school nurse was available to help anyone who needed care.
Surveillance footage captured three deer running near the school before one suddenly hurtled into the cafeteria. The animal landed on a table where someone had been sitting moments earlier, then scrambled up while people quickly backed away.
The deer appeared disoriented on the slick floor, slipping repeatedly as it moved through the room. At one point, it attempted to climb onto the stage before eventually making its way down a hallway and out a back door.
“We were able to quickly barricade and contain the deer in the cafeteria and, ultimately, on the stage,” the district’s statement read. “With the help of several staff members and APD, we were able to get the deer funneled out the back door without any additional damage or minor injury.”
Because breakfast service was disrupted, students were offered food during their first period instead.
In a follow-up message, Amherst Junior High Principal Andrew Hoffman encouraged families to reach out with any questions and praised students for staying calm throughout the ordeal.
“Our students handled themselves extremely well,” Hoffman wrote. “I am proud of their maturity and care for one another.”
