The school bus doors opened for 5-year-old Ashley, dressed in a pink and purple puffer jacket, as pebble-sized snowflakes pelted the parking lot pavement.
On the early April morning, the young girl was met with a burst of warmth — upbeat music played from a portable speaker and bright colors festooned the interior. Ashley immediately sat on a plush stool to draw with an orange marker, her beaded hair gracing her forehead as she quietly scribbled.
Not far behind, the little feet of Wadley, Esther and Emmanuel all climbed the bus steps…