Shamrock Stories

New Haven School Board Updates: Tax Rates, Libraries, Construction, and Electric Buses

Dr. Hoener is joined by principals Mrs. Otten and Mr. Peirick and librarians Mrs. Frick and Mrs. Westermeyer. They recap August and September New Haven School District board meetings and back-to-school updates. In August, the board set the 2025 tax rates by raising the operating levy to the ceiling of $3.9917 while keeping the debt service levy at $0.75, and prepaid $120,000 on the 2020 bonds; the district’s reserves snapshot on July 1 moved from 52.33% (FY25) to 47.41% (FY26). They highlighted an Aug. 3 scholarship golf tournament raising about $8,800 and community school-supply do...

In the season three premiere of Shamrock Stories for the New Haven School District, Superintendent Dr. Hoener and principals Mrs. Otten and Mr. Peirick recap a short July 7 school board meeting and share back-to-school preparations for August. The district is moving to online registration through the parent portal and ParentSquare. The principals outline extensive summer cleaning and construction at both buildings, confirm open house on August 19 (elementary 5–7 PM; high school 6–8 PM), fall sports starting August 10, and a high school schedule/registration week August 10–14. They also promote the school board scholarship golf tournament on August 3.

00:00 Season Three Kickoff

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Mrs. Otten, elementary principal, hosts Shamrock Stories for the New Haven School District and highlights this year’s “A Star Spangled Summer School,” themed around America’s 250th celebration, with activities focused on monuments, national parks, and the 50 states. Students from first and fourth grade share favorite parts of summer school, including trips to the park and pool, extra recess, spirit days, and assemblies.

00:00 Welcome and Theme

00:56 Meet the Students

01:20 Field Trips Park and Pool

01:57 Classroom Learning and Crafts

03:36 Eagles and National Parks

05:32 Summer School vs Regular

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The episode of Shamrock Stories recaps New Haven School District activities from April through June, featuring updates from principals Mr. Peirick and Mrs. Otten and a summary of board meeting actions. Mr. Peirick details our eight-day senior trip to major historical and cultural sites from Nashville through Washington, DC and New York City, prom (Megan Horstkamp and Lucas Seitter crowned), and graduation recognizing valedictorian Lucas Seitter and salutatorian Kyle Scheer. Mrs. Otten discusses the spelling bee winner, Sydney Mesker, Career Day, reading night, field trips, MAP testing celebrations, book fair, Special Olympics participation, field day, and kindergarten graduation. Board...

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Mr. Peirick talks with four eighth-grade New Haven Middle School Students of the Month about highlights from the year and what they’ve learned from the middle school experience. They discuss activity days, as well as clubs like Outdoors Club, National Junior Honor Society, student council, and yearbook. The students share favorite spirit days, lock-in activities, and favorite classes, plus reflections on sports seasons. They also describe the ICAP process for high school planning, what they’ll miss about middle school, what they look forward to in high school, advice for younger students, and...

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Superintendent Dr. Hoener and district leaders recap the March 11, 2026, New Haven School Board meeting. Mrs. Otten's updates include kindergarten and early childhood screenings with Lions Club support, Read Across America activities, music programming at Powell Symphony Hall, and preparations for MAP testing. Mr. Peirick highlights events such as cheer camp, homecoming, honor society inductions, library partnerships, and Scholar Bowl success. Mrs. Hoener reviews recent state and national competitors, continued student participation, the softball co-op with Herman, upcoming baseball and track events, booster club mouse races, and academic and postseason awards. Dr. Hoener outlines...

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, New Haven School District administrators recap the February 18th school board meeting and share updates from both buildings. At the elementary, students participated in Olympic-themed library activities, a family reading night with author Maureen Lewellen, a schoolwide “Read With Your Principal” challenge, the Hearts Across America postcard project, and celebrations for the 100th day and Valentine’s Day. The secondary campus highlights include an Air Force Academy acceptance, FBLA advancement, chocolate art, a distracted-driving simulator, and homecoming. Dr. Hoener reviews a financial report, legislative update, facility and flooring bids, a softball cooperative with Herman...

Mrs. Otten, principal of New Haven Elementary in the New Haven School District (New Haven, Missouri), hosts an episode of the Shamrock Stories podcast featuring fourth- and third-grade classroom activities. Fourth-grade teachers Mrs. Parmentier and Mrs. Walters discuss preparing students for MAP testing. They describe using a pop-up Plinko prompt system as a randomizer to select weekly writing prompts. Third-grade teachers Miss Bunch and Miss Miner describe starting a Hearts Across America project after Christmas break to collect postcards from all 50 states. The initiative has received 100+ cards and was featured on News Channel 4.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, school district administrators from New Haven provide a detailed recap of the January 14th Board of Education meeting. Key topics include various surplus items coming up for bid, professional development activities, recent student and faculty achievements, and the purchase of land by the school district. The episode also highlights upcoming infrastructure projects and discusses the district's new electric bus grant. Additionally, the administrators delve into possible cooperative agreements with neighboring schools for extracurricular activities. The next Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to February 18th.

00:00 Introduction and Meeting Overview

This episode of Shamrock Stories provides an academic update for the year 2025. We share the district's performance on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests, comparing our results to state and regional averages. Mrs. Westermeyer, Mrs. Nilges, Mrs. Parmentier, and Miss Miner discuss their strategies for preparing students for MAP tests, emphasizing personalized learning, engagement, and consistent high expectations. The episode highlights the importance of strong attendance, parental involvement, and the role of evolving educational resources in fostering student success.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:59 Academic Performance Analysis

02:47 APR Scores and Growth

04:09 Attendance and...

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Otten, and Mr. Peirick review positive developments and activities in the schools. The podcast covers significant financial updates, including discussions on the Governor's State Formula task force and future budget implications. Further updates include ongoing facility improvements funded by the 2024 bond issue and minor policy changes. Lastly, listeners are informed about upcoming community updates, staff resignations, job openings, and a new communication platform set to launch in early 2026.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:38 Elementary School Highlights

01:55 Middle and High School Updates

03:08 Financial Updates and...

This episode of Shamrock Stories focuses on the New Haven School District's board meeting from November 12th, 2025. Key highlights include the recognition of Mrs. Kimberly Monzyk with the Emerson's Teaching Excellence Award, a successful sock and glove drive led by the middle school's student council, and a powerful Veterans' Day event. The board reviewed and approved two important reports—the audit report and the Student Achievement report, indicating strong financial health and good academic performance. Major investment plans were discussed, including bids for infrastructure work and a plan to apply for an Ameren electric bus grant. The board also se...

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, host Mr. Peirick interviews Mr. Luecke and his students about their recent project framing the inside of the band trailer. They discuss the process, challenges, and learning experiences gained. Later, students from New Haven High School share their experiences at the Four Rivers Career Center, highlighting different programs like welding, teaching, and global business. They discuss their motivations, favorite projects, and the valuable skills and connections they have developed. The episode underscores the importance of community involvement and practical, hands-on learning in shaping their future careers.

00:00 Introduction to Shamrock Stories

In this month’s episode, Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Otten, and Mr. Peirick sit down with Ms. Zumsteg to talk about the work happening in our Food Service Department and the impact it has on students each day. They also highlight events from the past month, share updates on the district’s long-range facility plan, and discuss progress on the technology plan.

Tune in for an inside look at how New Haven Schools continue to grow and serve our students and community!

The Student Council President and Vice President take the lead in this episode as they interview Mr. Peirick, who is stepping into his new role as high school and middle school principal. They ask the questions students want to know—about his path to this position, his vision for the future, and what he’s most excited about in working with them.

In this month’s episode, Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Otten, and Mr. Peirick share highlights from the past month in the New Haven School District. The conversation covers recent events and celebrations, updates on district policies, and the latest discussions around the long-range facility plan.

Tune in for a quick and informative look at what’s happening across our schools and how the Board is planning for the future.

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Mrs. Otten chats with our 4th graders about their big field trip to the Missouri State Capitol. From exploring history to sharing their favorite moments, hear what stood out most to our students on this memorable day!

Mrs. Otten sits down with three sixth graders to talk about the start of their final year at the elementary school. They share favorite moments so far , what they’re looking forward to, and their thoughts about becoming middle school students next year.

In this episode, Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Otten, and Mr. Peirick chat about the first days of school, setting the tax rates, updates on construction projects, new staff, policy updates, and other decisions from the August board meeting.

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Dr. Hoener is joined by Mrs. Otten and Mr. Peirick to provide an update following the July meeting of the New Haven School Board.

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Dr. Hoener is joined by Mrs. Otten and Mr. Peirick to provide an update following the July meeting of the New Haven School Board.

Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Wnuk, and Mrs. Otten provide highlights from the May and June school board meetings.

Four seniors sit down with Mrs. Wnuk to reflect on the 2025 Senior Trip in this episode of Shamrock Stories.

Join us as we sit down with the standout students representing New Haven at the National FBLA Conference! Hear how they prepared, what drives their passion for business leadership, and what this incredible opportunity means to them.

Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Wnuk, and Mrs. Otten provide highlights from the April 9th and April 16th school board meetings.

Mrs. Otten sits down with four kindergarteners for a fun chat about their first year of school.

Mrs. Wnuk previews the 2025 Senior Trip with four of our seniors in this edition of Shamrock Stories.

In the latest edition of Shamrock Stories, Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Wnuk, and Mrs. Otten provide highlights from the March 12, 2025, school board meeting.

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Dr. Hoener provides updates on Senate Bill 63 and House Bill 711.

In this episode of Shamrock Stories, Dr. Hoener, Mrs. Otten, and Mrs. Wnuk discuss the New Haven School District's 2024 Academic Report. Presented to the Board in December, this report highlights the district's successes on the MAP tests and Annual Performance Report.

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