Mr. McQueen's Classroom                               

September 3, 2025

Dear Parents/Caregivers

For those of you who have not met me yet, my name is James McQueen and I will be your child’s teacher in Grade 3! I have taught in St. Thomas and was fortunate enough to be a brand new addition to Jack Chambers in 2014! A very long time ago!

September is always a wonderful time of change, new beginnings, new friends, new experiences, and new challenges. I am very excited about the growth and learning that will take place in our classroom, and I am eager to get to know and work with your family in the months ahead.

We will continue to use the balanced day schedule with a few adjustments to timing this year. This includes two nutritional breaks. Your child will be eating twice a day so pack lunch accordingly to ensure there is enough food for both breaks. I have included a timetable (on my website as it may be revised) for your review that includes teachers that will be delivering Music/Drama/Dance (Mrs. Inch), Social Studies (S. Martens) and Health (M. Ciesla).

Your child will be bringing home a planner each day outlining reminders, homework, tests and due dates. Your child is responsible for sharing the planner and any attached communication with you. Although I know it can sometimes be hard to remember, please sign and return the planner on a daily basis. Also, if you need to write me a note in the planner, please put it on a separate piece of paper that is stapled to the current date’s page or the plastic pocket in the front. This way I can be assured that you are up- to-date with classroom happenings and that you have read any communication from me.

Essential items for each day:

- lunch (adequate for two nutrition breaks)

- one pair of indoor running shoes

- water bottle

Optional but appreciated items as it helps for student organization:

- markers/white board markers

- pencil crayons

- pencil case

- stick glue/scissors

- Kleenex/Tissue

I have set up our Google Classroom that I would like each student to join as soon as possible. They can join by adding the following code once they have received their google log ins (hoping by end of week one):

sd7s7sdm

As we work together to foster in your child a sense of confidence, self-esteem and responsibility, it is my hope that each student will always strive for his/her highest potential. Our classroom will be a safe and exciting environment where students can be comfortable taking risks and making mistakes as they learn new skills and information.

Every year is a big new step, and you will notice a change of pace from Grade 2. Please contact me at school (519-452-8240) should you have any questions or concerns through-out the year. As well, I have a school e-mail address, j.mcqueen@tvdsb.ca which I do my best to check on a daily basis. I am also always happy to arrange a meeting in person at a mutually agreed upon time.

I consider it a privilege to be a member of the Jack Chambers staff and to be working with the supportive families in this community. I am very much looking forward to sharing a memorable and rewarding year with you and your child.

Sincerely,     

J. McQueen