Smiles All Around on Wantagh’s First Day

Posted Date: 12/22/2023

Schools in Wantagh opened for the start of the 2022-2023 school year on Sept. 1 with a renewed sense of optimism, as students arrived on buses, in cars and even by bike with smiles on their faces. 

With no more pandemic-related restrictions in place, those smiles were visible. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade shared their same sense of wonder. For Wantagh’s youngest learners, it was about learning school routines and making new friends, while those on the cusp of graduation want to go out on a high note.

“I’m looking forward to getting out what I put in for the last three years, and putting in that same effort as a senior,” Stefano Linardi said as he arrived for his last first day at Wantagh High School.   

Stefano said this year he will be involved in the Key Club and also join several sports teams including cross-country and wrestling. He’s also excited for his audio engineering and Advanced Placement Environmental Science classes. 

At Wantagh Middle School, sixth graders used the knowledge they gained from orientation a few days earlier to find their classes and open their lockers. At the elementary schools, parents took advantage of “Welcome Back” photo stations on the front lawn before their children went inside to meet their teacher and reunite with their friends.