EVERETT — On a quiet Valentine’s Day morning, a class of 4- and 5-year-olds at Jefferson Elementary took a seat on the classroom rug, each on a square that matches the color of their assigned desks.

Abdiel, 4, celebrates his birthday during his first week of transitional kindergarten at Bill Libbon Elementary School in Santa Maria. Credit: Nick Forselles / Noozhawk photo On a sunny morning in ...

Yelena Hagooli has done everything possible to give her 4-year-old son the best start in life. She took him to the library every week, fed him the healthiest foods, left her job to care for him, and ...