Big changes could be coming to GEMS in 2028. First Street Elementary potentially could become part of Glen Edwards Middle School (pending board approval), marking a major expansion for the campus. The transition is happening because First Street Elementary was never meant to remain open as long as it has. With some refurbishing and updates, the site will soon become something bigger and better a new part of the GEMS community.
According to Mrs. Fernandez, “First Street students will go to Foskett Ranch or Creekside Oaks based on their residence.” The district plans to reassign current First Street students to those nearby schools before construction and repurposing begin.
Mrs. Fernandez further explained, “First Street was never intended to be a permanent school. It has actually stayed open much longer than the original plan. If the boundary changes are approved, then First Street will be repurposed to be utilized as part of the GEMS campus. This is because the middle school population is continuing to grow. TBMS is at capacity and GEMS is getting close. With the population growth that is estimated in the next few years, we will need a larger campus to accommodate the increase in students.”
Once the changes are in place, the area where First Street currently stands will be transformed into an extension of the GEMS campus. Mrs. Fernandez explained how this will help with student movement and organization: “They will be moved and fences would be down so it was part of our campus. It would likely become classrooms for one grade level (maybe 6th) so that they would not have to travel across campus.”
Before that can happen, the portables at First Street will either need to be refurbished or replaced with new buildings. The orientation of the structures will also change to better connect the space with the GEMS layout. “The portables will need to be refurbished or new buildings put in,” said Mrs. Fernandez. “All would need to move so they are in more of a direction to GEMS rather than toward First Street.”
The expansion will provide much-needed space for the growing student body, ensuring that GEMS can continue to serve the community for years to come. The transformation of First Street Elementary into part of GEMS represents not just a physical change, but an exciting new chapter in the school’s future.
