Oak Forest Elementary School Changes Name After Temporary Move

OAK FOREST, IL — An Oak Forest elementary school is changing its name after a consolidation last year saw Morton Gingerwood School students and staff placed within the Arbor Park Building.

Starting the 2022-23 school year, the Morton Gingerwood Owls will become the Arbor Elementary School Owls, school officials told Patch. The name change signifies the elementary school's move from the Morton Gingerwood building to the Arbor Park building last school year.

School District No. 145 sold the Morton Gingerwood building in 2021 to save and prepare to build a new elementary school that is expected to house first through fourth grades. While a new building is about five to seven years away, district Superintendent Andrea Sala said last year, officials plan to construct it on the same campus as Scarlet Oak School.

In the meantime, nothing will change for elementary students other than the name of the school, which is already located within Arbor Park Building. The current second graders will "graduate" Morton Gingerwood School and the current first graders will "graduate" from Arbor Elementary School next year.

"While our school will have a different name, we can assure you we will continue to nurture, care for, celebrate, support and teach our students to the best of our ability," wrote Principal Tom Flynn in a letter to parents.

Officials have already started to update signage, website text and letterhead. Arbor Elementary School spirit wear will be available next school year.

The Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education purchased the former Morton Gingerwood Building.