Preschoolers in Ms. Weber's class at Parkview Heights Elementary wrapped up their unit on bees and insects in style, welcoming a local honeybee hobbyist and small business owner from Damme Good Honey for a hands-on classroom visit. Students listened to live bees, observed a queen bee up close, and had the chance to try on real beekeeping protective gear — a fitting finale to a unit that already had students buzzing with curiosity.

The visit brought the classroom curriculum to life in a way that textbooks and worksheets simply cannot replicate. Throughout their unit, students engaged in hands-on play and exploration centered on beekeeper work, making the real-world connection all the more meaningful when an actual beekeeper walked through the door. For young learners, seeing a community member who works with bees every day reinforced the relevance of what they had been studying and added an element of wonder to the learning experience.

The visit is a strong example of how local businesses and community partnerships can enrich classroom learning across all grade levels — even the youngest students. Papillion La Vista Community Schools values these connections as an important bridge between the classroom and the broader world students are growing up in.