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JAY, OKLAHOMA - During the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) visit to validate the Jay Head Start for accreditation, the center not only received their prestigious accreditation, but also received some new friends.

"It all started when the NAEYC validator asked Lori Maupin, lead teacher, if it would be OK if she gave our address to some of the other centers across the country she visits to be pen pals with our children," said Angela Glenn, teacher. "Ms. Lori jumped at the chance for her children to have such an opportunity."

Three weeks later, the center received a package in the mail, which was from a childcare facility in Kettering, Ohio. The package held pictures and a letter from 4 and 5-year-old students of the Oak Creek Preschool.

"The children were very excited about their big letter and thought it was wonderful," Glenn said. "There were several parents in the classroom when Ms. Lori read the letter to the children, but it seemed the parents were more excited than the children."

Glenn worked with the children on writing individual letters and drawing pictures to send back to Oak Creek Preschool. She also took pictures of the room and the children to send to their new pen pals.

"We are so very proud of our new friends. We sent them a cornhusk doll and some information we received at the Cultural Day held in October," Maupin said. "I believe we should take every opportunity we have to share our culture and make friends with people from other cultures, also. If we can keep this generation of children from becoming pre-judgmental, then WOW, we have changed the world."