Ellington School District staff led a walking-to-school event promoting student health and the districts "unplugged" philosophy and said recent infrastructure changes have made it easier for students to walk to school.

"Obviously, our district cares about health and wellness, but you won't see anybody today walking with devices. We know a lot of time and energy went into that Ellington unplugged philosophy by our central office, and so we're gonna support that," Staff member 2, a staff member with Ellington School District, said at the event.

District staff said the event has expanded each year and credited local infrastructure and community volunteers with supporting more walking. "Since we started this event, we now have sidewalks that actually on Main Street go to center school, which didn't exist before. We now have students who actually walk to school, which wasn't the case 5 years ago. And now we have a track at our at our school where kids run on and walk every day at recess. We had community members who helped us put that and make that happen, so super excited about it," Staff member 2 said.

"It's a good way to get some energy going, and it's a good way for us as a school community to start to build some memories together," Staff member 1, a staff member with Ellington School District, added.

Staff remarks emphasized program growth and local support rather than new district policies or funding details, which were not specified in the remarks. The event also referenced the districts central office guidance on limiting device use during the activity.