BETHLEHEM, N.Y. -- “I was like wow, wow,” said Dylan McQuoid. That was soon to be 5th grader Dylan McQuoid's reaction to his new school.
Students and parents toured Bethlehem's Eagle Elementary Saturday, a few months before students move into their new nest.
“Because everything is new, and the teachers are great, and the classrooms are new,” said McQuoid.
“He's very excited. That's all we here about is the new school. We here about Eagle all day,” said Alan McQuoid, Dylan's father.
Principal Dianna Reagan said nearly 400 students will call the school home and will be taught by teachers from five other schools in the district. Reagan said work on the $8.5 million building is six weeks ahead of schedule.
The facility has been in the works for 4 years and is the first new school in the Bethlehem district in half a century.
“The kids have known since December that they are coming to Eagle. Most are thrilled, some a little worried but I think this helped them today,” said Dianna Reagan, Eagle Elementary School Principal.
Hundreds of Bethlehem kids get a peak at their new school. And as Capital News 9's Curtis Schick reports, its been a long time coming.
“My daughter was really upset when she found out she had to move. But, after this tour, I think she is really going to be happy,” said Majorie Maniccia.
When construction is done, kids will eat right here in the cafetorium, that's what they are calling it. There is a stage in the back for events, and when kids arrive in September, Reagan hope kids will eat up everything the new building has to offer.
“I think the gym it is really good space to play and the basket ball hoops are pretty good,” said McQuoid.
However, it's not all fun and games. The school has an ultra-secure entrance, that only allows visitors to enter through the office during school hours.