Shamrock Stories

Shamrock Stories

by New Haven School District
Education
Season 3

Exploring After-School Adventures at NHES

Mrs. Otten, principal of New Haven Elementary, highlights after-school clubs, noting nearly 50% of elementary students participate. She interviews three students from the new Shamrockin’ Runners, which meets on Mondays to train for the Jingle Jog 5K. Next, students describe Shamrock Singers, which meets to practice for concerts and community events, and Grade School Grannies, meeting every other week to crochet and do plastic canvas crafts. Finally, Leaders of Leaders members promote positivity, make posters, help with school tasks, and represent student voice. 00:00 Welcome to Shamrock Stories 00:49 Meet the Shamrockin Runners 01:39 First Practice Highlights 03:13 Training for the Jingle Jog 11:22 Introducing More Clubs 11:48 Shamrock Singers Routine 14:58 Grade School Grannies Crafts 20:10 Leaders Of Leaders Explained
S3 · E4
Oct 8, 2026
26:01

Student Insights: Life at New Haven High School

Mr. Peirick hosts an episode of Shamrock Stories with two groups of New Haven High School juniors discussing student life. Dylan, Lydia, and Lillie (student council president) share student council plans, updates on volleyball tournament successes, Lillie’s softball co-op with rival Hermann, and marching band competition results. They also highlight Shamrock card sales, the October 2 FBLA barbecue, and Four Rivers Career Center programs, plus views on dual-credit workload, homework stress and usefulness, and inspiring teachers. A second junior group (Carter, Jayla, and Emme) discusses swimming intramurals, favorite and hardest parts of school, desired rule changes, myths about high school, advice to freshmen selves, activities, and asks Mr. Peirick about his motivation, coaching, school-year preparation, and path to becoming principal. 00:00 Sponsor Message 00:36 Meet the Students 01:14 Student Council Plans 03:06 Volleyball Season Update 05:14 Softball Co-op Experience 08:12 Shamrock Cards and FBLA 09:12 Four Rivers Career Center 11:48 First Day Back Reflections 15:07 Best Part of School 17:00 Homework Debate 20:55 Teachers Who Inspire 22:34 Teacher Shoutouts 26:25 New Group Introductions 26:43 Swimming Intramurals 27:25 Best And Hardest 28:53 School Pride Standards 30:59 Rumors And Myths 32:37 Advice To Freshmen 36:54 Students Interview Principal 37:02 Principal Interview 45:27 Wrap Up
S3 · E3
Sep 23, 2026
45:47

From Tax Rates to Library Updates: August-September School Board Meetings Recap

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 donations led by the police department and businesses. In September, the board reviewed 55 pages of policy updates, hired Austin Madden as head baseball coach, and heard library reports detailing new book purchases, reading habits, Destiny Discover access, and expanded library programming. The episode also updates bond-related construction, an Ameren grant for three electric buses with infrastructure planned for fall and buses expected next June, online registration challenges, advertising opportunities, and plans to end the community recycling dumpster unless a sponsor is found. 00:00 Welcome and Agenda 00:51 Tax Rates and Bond Levy 03:08 Reserves and ASBR Explained 05:06 Scholarship Golf Tournament 06:02 Back to School Donations 07:33 September Board Highlights 08:04 Library Programs and New Books 10:19 Kids Reading Habits Today 14:55 Modern Libraries and Tech 18:45 Library Beyond Books 20:37 Crochet Club and Family Nights 22:20 Bond Construction Updates 25:44 Electric Buses Timeline 27:11 Advertising Sponsorships 28:29 Online Registration Update 30:57 Recycling Program Changes 33:01 Closing and Next Episodes
S3 · E2
Sep 11, 2026
33:28

July 2026 Board Meeting Updates, Construction Projects, and Online Registration

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 00:58 July Board Highlights 01:14 AMI Plan Explained 02:09 Elementary Steps Upgrade 03:21 Tax Levy And New Hire 04:00 Online Registration Rollout 06:09 Elementary Summer Projects 08:54 Secondary Building Upgrades 10:01 Open House And Supplies 11:33 Sports And Schedule Week 12:59 New Family Registration Help 14:27 Golf Tournament And Wrap Up
S3 · E1
Jul 12, 2026
15:30
Season 2

A Star-Spangled Summer School

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 06:44 Lunch Recess and Spirit Days 10:16 Final Week Reminders 11:11 New First Grade Guests 11:55 Classroom Fun and Stations 14:56 American Crafts and Landmarks 15:52 Food PE and Wrap Up
S2 · E18
Jun 24, 2026
17:49

April-June 2026 Board Meetings and Construction Updates

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 items cover tuition rate, insurance renewal, deficit spending plans, staffing cuts, a $1,000 base salary increase to $39,500, and multiple bond-funded construction projects, including paving, tree removal, steps, lighting, flooring, safety color-coding, and electric bus infrastructure prep. 00:00 Spring Updates Kickoff 00:45 April Activities Recap 01:38 Senior Trip Explained 08:47 Back Home Sprint to Finish 09:43 Prom and Graduation Wrap 11:03 Elementary Spring Highlights 12:47 MAP Testing and Celebrations 15:32 Field Day and Kindergarten Graduation 16:44 Summer School Fun 18:10 Board Meetings Overview 20:04 Budget Crunch and Staffing Cuts 26:07 Construction Projects Tour 28:53 Elementary Facelift Plans 30:12 Tree Removal 36:33 Safety Upgrades and Electric Buses 39:12 New Hires and Closing Thoughts
S2 · E17
Jun 22, 2026
40:52

The Middle School Experience

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 what it meant to be selected as Student of the Month. 00:00 Meet the Students 00:57 Year Highlights 01:50 Activity Days Explained 03:38 Clubs and Leadership 05:48 Spirit Days and Lock In 08:34 Favorite Classes 09:52 Girls Basketball Season 12:03 Boys Basketball Season 13:35 Volleyball Season 14:33 High School Transition ICAP 16:48 What You'll Miss Advice 19:49 Track Season Preview 22:01 Student of the Month Pride 24:09 Final Thanks and Wrap Up
S2 · E16
Mar 27, 2026
24:32

March 2026 School Board Meeting

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 legislative concerns (HB 2872 reading retention, Hancock Amendment changes, and April Prop T tax freeze impacts), projected budget deficits, facility RFP approvals, a new copier RFP, and the purchase of a new tractor. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:50 Kindergarten Screening Highlights 01:52 Family Events and Reading Week 02:39 Elementary Learning and Testing Prep 04:13 Summer School Registration 04:32 Secondary School Celebrations 06:40 Activities and Athletics Update 10:43 Legislative Bills to Watch 17:32 Budget and Financial Outlook 21:36 Facilities Plan and Summer Projects 23:32 New Business and Equipment Purchases 25:40 Staffing Updates and Closing
S2 · E15
Mar 18, 2026
26:54

February 2026 School Board Meeting

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 Hermann, the 2026–27 calendar changes, and current district job openings. Mrs. Anderson discusses special services programming and staffing. 00:00 Welcome and Agenda 00:38 Elementary Highlights 01:27 Reading Challenge and Postcards 02:28 Valentine and Q-U Wedding 03:02 Secondary School Update 04:47 Finance and Legislative Update 08:47 Facility Plan and Bond Limits 12:09 Bids and Flooring Upgrades 13:40 Softball Co-Op with Hermann 15:48 Special Programs Overview 20:35 Next Year Calendar Changes 23:23 Job Openings and Wrap Up
S2 · E14
Feb 27, 2026
24:09

From Plinko Prompts to Postcards: A New Haven Elementary School Experience

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 00:48 Fourth Grade MAP Writing 02:15 Plinko Prompt Routine 04:46 Building Independence Fast 09:35 Favorite Genres and Examples 13:56 Third Grade Postcard Project 15:01 Exploring Places with Google Earth 18:29 Community Buzz 22:41 Gratitude and Wrap Up
S2 · E13
Feb 23, 2026
23:41
1 of 4