"You guys ready to see pictures of your new school?" the project manager asked.

"Yes!" came the enthusiastic cry from third, fourth and fifth graders gathered in the cafeteria at Fairland Center Thursday morning.

Sarah Cummings and Michael Hoffman, project managers with Gaithersburg-based Dustin Construction, showed Glenallan Elementary School students the plans for their new school building at the request of the school's PTA.

Glenallan students will finish the 2012-2013 school year at Fairland Center on Old Columbia Pike in Silver Spring as construction wraps up in Wheaton. At the end of August, they will start classes in their brand new building at the corner of Heurich and Randolph roads.

Cummings and Hoffman explained the "green" features of the new school: plants on part of the roof, native landscaping around the building, light sensors in classrooms, sunshades on south-facing windows to keep rooms cooler, efficient water fixtures, recycled building materials and more.

Their main message: We're doing our part, now we ask that you do yours to help keep the new school clean and energy efficient.

After the presentation, Glenallan Principal Peter Moran helped field questions from students about sports fields, computer labs and the color of the new school's floor tiles.

"Why doesn't the school have escalators?" a student asked. Because Glenallan Gators always take the stairs, Moran responded, before telling the student to ask the school's physical education teacher. (The school will have an elevator for anyone who needs it.)

The room buzzed with excitement. Then it was back to class as the assembly came to an end.

"Thank you for building our school!" a girl shouted as she exited the cafeteria with her class.

Related Links:

PHOTOS: Construction Watch at Glenallan Elementary School

Take a Virtual Tour of the New Glenallan Elementary School