Commack School District Welcomes First Bees to its New Apiary

The Commack Union Free School District welcomed the arrival of hundreds of honey bees at the opening of its new apiary on Saturday, April 30. This new facility, located at the Marion Carll Property on Commack Road, will provide new, hands-on learning experiences for students at all grade levels.

Students from Commack Middle School, along with their advisor and Master Beekeeper Katherine Luberto, marked the occasion by transferring the queen bee along with the worker and nurse bees to their new hive and home. The school’s Bee Club had been preparing for the arrival of the bees, learning how to care for their unique environment, and creating the bee boxes and a special enclosure with the help and expertise of the District facilities crew.

To build on this authentic experience, students have started planting seedlings in their classrooms. The seedlings will then be transferred to the property for bee pollination, with the first honey harvest planned for the fall of 2022.

“These kinds of project-based learning experiences are a hallmark of our educational philosophy at Commack Schools,” said Dr. Jordan Cox, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Commack School District. “Our students are not only learning the biological functions of honey bees, but also the essential role they play in the wider ecosystem all while having a fun time.”

For more information about the Commack School District, please visit the District's website at https://www.commackschools.org. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/commackschooldistrict.