FROM STAFF REPORTS 

CHELSEA — The new Forest Oaks Elementary School is set to open Jan. 3.

Faculty and staff will move into the new space during the holiday break, according to a Shelby County Schools news release. Forest Oaks  will house kindergarten through fifth grade students and will replace Chelsea Intermediate School, which now serves as the satellite site for Forest Oaks. Chelsea Intermediate will become an extension of Chelsea Middle School located next door.

“We are elated about making the transition into our new school facility. We are looking forward to creating a nurturing and supportive learning community,” said Forest Oaks principal Dr. Resia Brooks. “This new addition has created a lot of enthusiasm in our community among our students, faculty and parents.”

Brooks also cited support from the city of Chelsea and its $500,000 donation to help construct a 7,600-square-foot regulation gym, “which will be utilized by not only the school, but also the community.”

The opening of the Forest Oaks was postponed after excessive rainfall led to construction delays. A new road leading to the school, Hornet Drive, was completed this fall, giving parents and faculty an additional point of access to the existing Chelsea Intermediate School and helping improve traffic flow.