The cold weather that blew into Alabama the first week back from the Christmas holidays didn’t dampen the spirits of students and staff at Forest Oaks Elementary School, who started classes in the brand new facility on Monday, January 6.

“We have had a wonderful, seamless transition,” said Principal Resia Brooks. 

The school features a 5,200-square-foot cafeteria, named “The Lunch Box”, music and art rooms, a spacious library media center and a 7,600-square-foot gymnasium that features a regulation sized basketball court.  The City of Chelsea contributed $500,000 to assist with construction of the gym, which will also benefit the city’s youth basketball league.

The school also includes a 12,377 square-foot tornado shelter in section of the building housing kindergarten and first grades.  During a severe weather event, the students from the other grades will also be brought to that section of the building, which can withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour.