Dear parents/carers

On Friday 5^th May, we will be hosting a Coronation picnic to celebrate this significant and historical event.

The children may wear 'red, white or blue' clothes on this day and have the option of bringing a packed lunch from home or ordering a picnic box from our school meals service, via our wisepay system.

The picnic will start at 12.30pm and you are welcome to join your child (bringing your own picnic and picnic blanket with you). At the end of the event, the children can leave with you or return to class until the end of the day.

Key points

1. At the start of the event (12.30pm) you may enter via any of the three school entrances, however when leaving the site at the end of the event (it is likely to last about an hour) we will all exit via the main gate, this will ensure the safety of all pupils and that no pupil can leave unaccompanied.
2. If the weather is wet then we will continue to hold the picnic in school, but due to the size of our classrooms we will not be able to invite parents to join us.
3. The picnic will involve a 'Coronation Quiz' and 'Royal Family treasure hunt' - all children will have the opportunity to participate in this either with yourselves or with a staff member.
4. Toilet facilities will be available in our Annex building, but children must be accompanied to use these.

Our March newsletter has now been issued

Our Easter Discos will be held on Thursday 30th March at the following times:

1. Reception, Years 1 and 2 from 4.00pm – 5.00pm
2. Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 from 5.30pm – 6.30pm

No tickets are required for this event as children will pay on the door as they enter. They can enter through the main entrance or through the Year 2 door (for the younger children) or the main entrance or Year 5/6 door (for the older children). The price of entry will be £3.00 and this will include refreshments. All children will be dismissed from the back of the hall.

On Thursday 16th March, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will be hosting a ‘Mother’s Day presentation’ at 2.30pm. All mothers are invited and we hope you can join us to celebrate Mother’s Day.

On Thursday 16th March, the children are invited to ‘turn themselves red’ to raise funds for Comic Relief. This could be a t-shirt, jumper, trousers, the full outfit or even red hair! We’re asking that families kindly donate £1.00 towards this cause (you are more than welcome to donate a greater amount) and monies can be sent into school on this day.

Book Fair

The Book Fair will be in school the week commencing Monday 6th March. The children will have a chance to visit the Fair on Monday 6th March and then the fair will be open for families to visit (to purchase books) from Tuesday 7th - Thursday 9th  March, from 3.30pm – 4.15pm (cash payments only). Every student will receive a £1 book token which can be exchanged for one free World Book Day 2023 book or £1 off a book costing £2.99 or more. You can find out more information about this on the token given or the World Book Day website. The 2023 World Book Day £1 books can be found in bookshops or your local supermarket.

World Book Day

This year, Straits will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 2nd March - a day to celebrate the joy and value of reading. Children are invited to dress up as a book character for a day from one of their favourite books. These costumes can be very simple and do not need to cost a lot of money. If possible, it would be great if your child could bring this book or another favourite book for a shared reading session. If your child is unable to bring a book in, they will be able to choose a book from school to share.

This year, we will also be celebrating how we can read almost anywhere! Your half term challenge is to read somewhere different – this could be an unusual place in your house/garden or in a different location (the park, on a day out, somewhere you’ve never been before). Send a photo to: reading@straits.dudley.sch.uk

and we’ll celebrate them on our website. If you don’t wish your child to appear on the website, please let us know when you email your picture.

Internet Safety Day is observed every year with the aim of working towards a safer and better internet. In school we will be completing a range of activities with children and the resources on our online safety page https://www.straitsprimaryschool.com/online-safety/ are a good source of information or conversation starter with your child.

Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 will take place from 6^th-12^th February. This year’s theme is Let’s Connect and we will be celebrating this week in our assemblies and PSHE lessons. Further information can be found at: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/about/

Our Christmas party day, for each year group is on Friday 16^th December. The children will not be required to bring any additional money or party food to school as they will have a hot dinner or a packed lunch and then school will provide a ‘Christmas treat’ during the afternoon. They may wear their own clothes on this day and please remember we finish at 2.00pm on this day.