Wantagh Elementary School Students Salute Their Heroes

It was a proud day for students at Wantagh Elementary School on Oct. 28, as they got to thank the people they know who save lives. The school hosted its inaugural celebration of National First Responders Day, which Principal Briana James plans to make an annual event.

Students were invited to submit “My First Responder” sheets, which included the name, photo and information of family and friends who work in emergency services and health care, or serve in the military. They celebrated doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, security guards and servicemen and women. About 150 sheets were submitted and hung up to create a wall of gratitude outside of the cafeteria – a hallway that all students walk down every day.  

The day began with a message of gratitude for first responders during the morning announcements. Students were invited to wear special Wantagh first responder shirts or come to school dressed in red, white and blue. 

“We know that a lot of family members are first responders and we wanted to honor them and make it personal,” Ms. James said. “The whole point is that we’re saluting the first responders that we love. We wanted that community feel.”