A look inside the new Forest Oaks Elementary

Quick facts about Forest Oaks Elementary

School site size: 18 acres

Building size: 91,000 square feet

Classrooms: 50, designed for approximately 1,000 students

Cafeteria: 5,200 square feet, seating for 348

Platform stage: 800 square feet

Storm shelter: 12,000 square feet, space for 1,350

Gymnasium: 7,600 square feet, seating for 388

Take a stroll through the new Forest Oaks Elementary, and something will soon catch your eye. A considerable amount of forethought went into preparing the facility for what might lie ahead in Chelsea.

If the population continues to grow or if severe weather strikes, Forest Oaks is ready, just as it is if technology continues to change the direction of education and science uncovers healthier ways to live.

This month, Chelsea has a new resource that’s surprisingly resourceful.

“When parents drop their students off in January, they’re going to be amazed at the level of commitment and thought that has gone into building this facility,” Principal Dr. Resia Brooks said. “Not only is it attractive, but it’s also very conducive to learning.”

Brooks said she finds the building warm and friendly, and believes students who attend Forest Oaks will be happy with the new facility.

“It really is a symbol of learning and growth for the students in this community,” she said. “We always want children to enjoy coming to school and enjoy learning, and we think that this building is going to help foster that.”

Of course, she said, real learning can take place in any building, and a good school is not measured by the structure but by the teaching inside. However, Chelsea’s constant growth over recent years showed a need to prepare, and Brooks believes that’s exactly what’s been done with Forest Oaks.

“Chelsea is no longer a secret,” Brooks said. “Everyone knows that Chelsea is a very sweet place and a very connected community, and because of that charm and because of the history here, it attracts a lot of people who bring us wonderful children. Because of that growth, we always want to be sure we have the facilities that are needed.”

Media center

For Brooks, the media center situated at the front of the school helps shape the identity of Forest Oaks. She said it’s her favorite part of the new building. Large light fixtures hang from the vaulted ceilings, and a tall window looks out onto Hornet Parkway.

“It’s very symbolic,” Brooks said. “Books are the window to the world, and the atmosphere in here is very modern and kid-friendly and generally promotes reading.”

Another feature in the media center is a portion of the carpet divided into colored squares. Brooks said it’s a perfect location to have story time for younger classes, as their seats will already be marked off.

Cafeteria

The school’s cafeteria, affectionately deemed “The Lunch Box,” doubles as a lecture hall and performance venue. A modern kitchen at the back of the room will introduce young students to habits that will continue to keep them healthy throughout life.

“It’s important for kids at an early age to learn how to prevent issues that can occur later in life,” Brooks said of the school’s E2 program that encourages healthy behaviors. “Plus, eating right and exercising makes you a better person emotionally and physically. And it all starts here. We’re teaching them to begin with the end in mind.”

The stage also features a state-of-the-art sound system and built-in projector screen for showing movies.

Gymnasium

Brooks said Forest Oaks’ gymnasium, built in collaboration with the City of Chelsea, was another highlight of the new facility. The space is open and bright and provides ample seating for attending sporting events, which is important to the school’s collaboration with the city.

“Our gym will also be used for the Chelsea Youth League, and we’re excited about that because it means the community and schools are working together to support the needs of our youth,” Brooks said.

The gym features regulation-size basketball and volleyball courts, a telescopic bleacher system with a seating capacity of 388 and wall-mounted loudspeakers and microphones with the sound system. 

Classrooms

The current Forest Oaks facility has 34 classrooms and space is constrained. But in the new building, 50 classrooms will be available, and Brooks said there should be a teacher in each one beginning this month.

Classrooms are each equipped to handle approximately 20 students. Each includes ample storage, connections for media and computer technology, and a sink and water fountain within the room. 

All rooms have CCTV hookup and occupancy sensor light switches, and the computer room has a 32-computer capability.

Safety

Just past the front office and media center, parents enter a corridor that stretches the length of the school. Brooks said it’s called “The Runway,” and it’s designed to direct children to the exits as quickly as possible in case of an emergency.

“Logistically, Forest Oaks is very streamlined,” Brooks said. “Our two wings are connected by this hall, making the school easier to navigate, easier to access and better for evacuations.”

On the wing closest to the gym, designed for Kindergarten through second-grade students, Forest Oaks boasts another impressive safety feature. A section of the building has been reinforced to sustain winds up to 250 miles per hour. Classrooms in this section of the school also include metal window coverings and vents to release pressure. The storm shelter can protect 1,350 people in case of emergency.

The storm shelter power supply is also equipped with backup power and has a separate domestic water and sewer system from the remaining portions of the school.

A closet in the shelter hides another secret. Fourteen first-aid kits stored within the shelter can provide aid to 1,400 students.

“The inclusion of these in the storm shelter shows incredible forethought,” Brooks said.