Even though students were all off on spring break, Coupeville School District buzzed with excitement this week.

A swarm of honey bees took refuge outside the district office near a post and fire hydrant.

Staff members saw a big, wide swirl of bees in the air, said Janet Wodjenski, administrative assistant for the superintendent’s office.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It was like a huge cloud.”

Once the bees landed, district maintenance staff was contacted. They were unsure, however, how to handle the swarm.

“So I Googled ‘Whidbey Island bees,’” Wodjenski said.

Finding a webpage for Whidbey Island Bee Keepers, Wodjenski contacted Keith Turner from the group who came to gather the swarm.

“He said they are usually very, very calm,” Wodjenski said.

Turner used a bucket and his hands to gather the bees.

According to the group’s blog, bees collected will be used by the bee keepers to generate honey.

Turner couldn’t be reached for comment by press time.