COLORADO SPRINGS — October is Colorado Pedestrian Month and on Wednesday dozens of schools across the state participated in Walk to School Day.
The goal - to promote pedestrian safety and student wellness.
Conditions may have been cold and drizzly on Wednesday morning, but dozens of students at Explorer Elementary School in Academy District 20 braved the weather for the annual event which has been going on for more than 20 years in Colorado.
Allison Cortez, director for communication for District 20, said, "It's about walking, it's about biking and the new thing we're seeing is skateboarding."
Crossing guard Michelle Rollins said, "I think it gets the kids started off to a good day. Nobody crosses my corner with a bad attitude."
Rollins has been part of Walk to School Day for several years. What keeps her coming back is being able "to talk to the kids."
Fifth-grader Finley Schulz said, "We don't have to wake up as early."
Fellow student Jayden Tuetken said, "It's more exercise for you before the day begins and it can wake you up."
Kristian White, another fifth-grader, said, "Never skip leg day which is every day."
Another student, Ezekiel Phares said, "I don't like driving since I have six siblings. I'm the oldest one and it's just nice and peaceful, and it gets you good exercise."
Student Joshua Baker said, "I also like to walk to school with my neighbors."
Fifth-grader Xavier Lukes said, "It's fun."
Beyond all of these benefits Cortez said, "We know students that walk to school develop a better sense of community both within their neighborhood and once they get to school. Their grades are typically higher. Their stress levels are lower."
