_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
From the community. For the community.
We help Nassau residents save. DEADLINE MARCH 2ND
Vol. 74 No. 5
An essential school to watch
laughing for a good cause
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Page 11 JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4, 2026
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Tech updates are focus of BOE meeting in place, according to Curry, including a new network connection to Wantagh Elementary The Wantagh Board of Edu- for disaster recovery, a districtcation received an update from wide public address system and Perry Curry, the district’s direc- new classroom phones that tor of technology, on planned allow external calls among all upgrades to technology infra- five schools. “We’ re also able to call structure, cybersecurity and data privacy in all five district across the district,” Curry said. schools at its Jan. 22 meeting at “If I had a teacher who was Wantagh High School. having trouble in Wantagh EleCurry opened mentary, I could her presentation pick up the phone uniquely, by playing and call the classa two-and-a-halfroom. It’s been a minute song she game-changer for wrote about classus.” room learning with There were secutechnology on Suno rity camera — an artificial intel- PERRY CURRY u p g r a d e s at t h e ligence tool with Director of middle and high which users create technology, Wantagh school, and addisong based on words School District tional firewalls — a they give to A.I. digital security sysCurry’s song, she tem, which acts as a said, was meant to highlight the barrier between a trusted interadvancements made by A.I.- nal network and untrusted powered lear ning programs external networks such as the and their potential as educa- internet — was installed at Fortional tools for students. After it est Lake, Mandalay and Wantplayed, she emphasized A.I.’s agh Elementary School, she ability to recognize educational added. programs used in the district Looking to the future, more without being told what they fiber runs, which used to transwere. “It understood what each mit data, voice and video sigof those programs did,” she nals at high speeds over long said. “It did it itself.” distances using light pulses Several upgrades are already
By lUKE FEENEY
lfeeney@liherald.com
Y
ou have to eat the bad vegetables first.
Luke Feeney/Herald
Wantagh High School was one of many schools closed Monday, in the aftermath of the storm.
Storm shutters Wantagh, Seaford Snow, wind and bitter cold halt classes and activities in both school districts, and close businesses as well By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Schools and libraries in Wantagh and Seaford were closed Monday, after Sunday’s storm brought heavy snow, high winds and dangerously low temperatures across Long Island. The National Weather Service’s winter storm warning ended Monday morning. Crews at both school districts were shoveling and clearing snow as the districts prepared to welcome students back on Tuesday morning. Wantagh and Seaford received around eight inches to as much as a foot of snow. Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti said before the storm that the town was
fully mobilized to keep roads clear and residents safe — including in Wantagh and Seaford. He urged residents to stay off the roads if possible to allow plow operators space to work safely and efficiently. Snowfall began early Sunday and continued into Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Communities like Wantagh and Seaford saw a mix of snow and sleet, which made for slick and icy roads. Winds and blowing snow reduced visibility throughout the storm, and sub-freezing temperatures were expected to linger for days. The town is responsible for clearing more than 1,200 miles of roadway and dozens of commuter and municipal parking lots. Crews prepped plow trucks, loaders and salt Continued on page 10
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