BY IRENE LABOMBARDE

Three generations of seventh-grader Ashley Palis’ family  recently toured her new school – the Ross A. Lurgio Middle School.

Ashley’s mother Robin Palis, who grew up in Bedford, said she was very impressed with the new facility.

“It’s unbelievable for Bedford to have this and the high school. What an opportunity to have a nice base for college -- I like that they’re using language like ‘Dining Hall,” she said.

Ashley’s grandmother Beverly Bourque agreed.

“It’s wonderful up here, compared to when my kids went to school. What an opportunity! I love the springy floors in the gym -- good for the knees. This is an awesome school,” she said.

Amid all the fanfare surrounding the opening of Bedford High School, the community had a chance to tour the new Ross A. Lurgio Middle School on Aug. 23 and 24.

“It’s not very different from move-up day, except now we have furniture,” said Prinicpal Ed Joyce. “We have lots of tour guides -- who better to show off the building than the students.”

To help students get around, the middle school is color-coded. Eighth-grade classrooms are on the first floor, seventh grade on the second. Each grade is divided into four pods, and hallways/lockers for that pod are the corresponding color – red, yellow, blue or green.

Each quadrant has a pod center, a hallway corner with space to gather.

“The pod centers have a white board and a bulletin board. The teachers can tell everyone what they need that day, and they can even hold a class out here. It’s much more efficient,” said tour guide Jaclyn Zajac, an eighth-grader.

The art room has its own darkroom, as well as pottery wheels.

“We don’t have to use our fingers anymore,” said Emma Boyd, who enters eighth grade.

In one of the Family and Consumer Science rooms, sewing machines are set up in rows.

“Everyone can sew at the same time now. You don’t have to share,” said Jaclyn.

Lunch will be served in the “Dining Hall,” which has round tables and water, but no soda, in the vending machines.

“It’s huge. I hope the kids don’t get lost,” said parent Laila Danaf at the end of the tour.

John Schuttinger, the new assistant principal, stood at the front door greeting visitors.

“I’m very excited. It’s a beautiful building and a very professional staff. Bedford is an exceptional district to work for,” he said.

Schuttinger previously worked in the Concord School District, where he taught fifth through seventh grades.

The high school athletes and band members began practicing in early August for the fall season, and extracurricular activities at Lurgio will begin soon.