As students walked through the front doors of Wantagh High School shortly after 7 a.m. on Sept. 2, it officially marked the beginning of a new school year. Board of education trustees along with central office and high school administrators greeted students as they arrived and headed off to their first classes. 

The day before, students from the Morgan’s Message club chalked inspirational messages on the sidewalk leading up to the front entrance, such as “Shine Bright” and “You Got This,” to bring some positivity to the first day. Seniors threw it back to their elementary days, wearing backpacks that reflected their favorite childhood cartoon and television characters. 

Once students were settled in at the high school, it was time for arrival at the neighboring middle school. Openings at Forest Lake, Mandalay and Wantagh elementary schools then followed about an hour later. Within a couple of hours, nearly 3,000 students had settled in at five buildings and were ready for a year of learning and new memories.