SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police honored more than 3,500 kids who help keep their schools safe every day.

Police and the Kiwanis club of San Antonio hosted the 78th annual School Safety Patrol Day at the Alamodome. It's a special day for students who volunteer to help out their peers before, during, and after school.

It's a big responsibility that includes helping students cross the street and running office reports.

SAPD resource officers say it's a good stepping stone for kids this young.

"I think it shows them responsibility, shows them leadership skills. It gives them a volunteer feeling, doing something for somebody, not just for themselves but for somebody else,” Officer Byran Soldevila with the San Antonio Police Department said.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, his Command Staff and the SAPD Honor Guard were also there to celebrate the students.