Griswold - More than one year after ground was broken on the middle school, dozens of parents and residents took guided tours Monday through the new addition, which nearly doubled the size of the original school building. Construction began in the summer of 2008, about one year after taxpayers approved spending up to $70 million on the middle school renovations and addition and the demolition and construction of a new elementary school.

Construction began in the summer of 2008, about one year after taxpayers approved spending up to $70 million on the middle school renovations and addition and the demolition and construction of a new elementary school.Despite some initial delays, the project has moved according to schedule. Prior to the holiday break, sixth- through eighth-grade teachers were able to relocate their classrooms, some to the new wings, and fourth- and fifth-grade teachers were able to move into their new location.

Despite some initial delays, the project has moved according to schedule. Prior to the holiday break, sixth- through eighth-grade teachers were able to relocate their classrooms, some to the new wings, and fourth- and fifth-grade teachers were able to move into their new location.As work continues at the elementary school - preparations are under way to demolish one of the wings - the fourth grade will be housed at the middle school. Once the elementary school is complete, the fourth grade will return. The fifth grade is now incorporated into the middle school.

As work continues at the elementary school - preparations are under way to demolish one of the wings - the fourth grade will be housed at the middle school. Once the elementary school is complete, the fourth grade will return. The fifth grade is now incorporated into the middle school. Monday evening, fourth-grader Travis Nordgren, 9, needed a little help from his older sister Tiffani Nordgren, 13, an eighth-grader, finding his new classroom and locker to show their parents.

Monday evening, fourth-grader Travis Nordgren, 9, needed a little help from his older sister Tiffani Nordgren, 13, an eighth-grader, finding his new classroom and locker to show their parents."It's nice to finally have the space. It's beautiful. It gives us a lot more room. The best part is knowing that the (construction) if over and we have the school now," Tiffani said, as she, her mom Yvonne Nordgren and stepfather Mario Dupuis looked around Travis' room.

"It's nice to finally have the space. It's beautiful. It gives us a lot more room. The best part is knowing that the (construction) if over and we have the school now," Tiffani said, as she, her mom Yvonne Nordgren and stepfather Mario Dupuis looked around Travis' room.Before exploring the school themselves, the Nordgrens and Dupuis joined GMS Principal Thanh Nguyen as he led a group of three families through the new facility, including the refurbished gymnasium, new front office and guidance space, and new cafeteria/auditorium, which boosts a restaurant-style kitchen.

Before exploring the school themselves, the Nordgrens and Dupuis joined GMS Principal Thanh Nguyen as he led a group of three families through the new facility, including the refurbished gymnasium, new front office and guidance space, and new cafeteria/auditorium, which boosts a restaurant-style kitchen. For the past 18 months, lunch for middle school students was prepared at the high school and trucked over to the middle school. The original school auditorium had been serving as the cafeteria. It is now enclosed and will soon be restored to its original luster. The entire project, including the refurbishing of the media center and transformation of the old principals' offices into classrooms will be done by the end of the summer.

For the past 18 months, lunch for middle school students was prepared at the high school and trucked over to the middle school. The original school auditorium had been serving as the cafeteria. It is now enclosed and will soon be restored to its original luster. The entire project, including the refurbishing of the media center and transformation of the old principals' offices into classrooms will be done by the end of the summer. Nguyen pointed out the new technology in the building, including surround sound in the classrooms that will benefit hearing-impaired students, and a new space for the band and choir.

Nguyen pointed out the new technology in the building, including surround sound in the classrooms that will benefit hearing-impaired students, and a new space for the band and choir.The new security system includes cameras and a buzzer system that requires visitors and parents picking up students during irregular hours to enter and exit the building through the main office.

The new security system includes cameras and a buzzer system that requires visitors and parents picking up students during irregular hours to enter and exit the building through the main office. Visitors were impressed by the new computer labs, science classrooms - with shared closet space and a special sanitizing oven for materials - the tech workshop and the new nurse's office, complete with a private exam room and two bathrooms.

Visitors were impressed by the new computer labs, science classrooms - with shared closet space and a special sanitizing oven for materials - the tech workshop and the new nurse's office, complete with a private exam room and two bathrooms.