Skip to Main Content
The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

An increasing amount of people needing glasses boosts sales.

Stark increase of worsening vision among people elicits concerns for underlying reasons

Ava Sauser, Student Life Editor April 30, 2025

Currently an estimated 2.3 billion people need vision correction of some sort, which is more than ever before. Experts have been conducting studies to determine what the underlying causes may be. However,...

Despite nearly a century of tradition and better health, many conspiracy theorists are attempting to remove fluoride from water for unknown reasons. Graphic made by Estelle Treiber with Creative Commons photo by Gage Skidmore.

RFK Jr. sparks fear and conspiracy while attempting to remove fluoride from public water supply

Clark Lechtenberg, Multimedia Manager April 25, 2025

In recent weeks, Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr. has been hollering about fluoride and its many “dangers”. The known anti-vaxxer has made claims about how fluoride is slowly killing American...

As tensions rise in the United States from detainments and deportations due to protests, immigrants are more fearful of traveling and risking their path to becoming permanent US citizens.

Permanent residents afraid to travel and protest in fear of detainment

Swetha Narmeta, Feature Editor April 3, 2025

On Mar. 9, 2025, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested and detained for protesting against Israel. His arrest was justified on the grounds that his protests sparked antisemitic views. Despite...

Astronauts returned from the ISS after a long nine months. The astronauts listed were Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunav and Butch Wilmore.

NASA astronauts’ delayed return from space brings new scientific advancements in various fields

Raina Mishra, Copy Editor April 1, 2025

On March 18, NASA astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned from their mission on the International Space Station (ISS).  This mission,...

As students sit in class taking notes, it’s nearly impossible to tell if any students have 504 plans. 504 plans can be as simple as letting students have preference seating so they can see better.

Beyond the classroom: Iowa’s education crisis intensifies as 504 plans face legal threat

Emily Thoreson, Business Manager March 4, 2025

As Iowa’s education rankings continue to decline, so do the resources available to students--including medical 504 plans.  Iowa joins 16 other states in suing the United States government in an attempt...

Online unprofessionalism of US Government pages leave Americans wondering what is reliable when coming from the official White House.

Official White House posts spark concern over unreliability and decreasing professionalism

Estelle Treiber, News Editor March 4, 2025

Rising concerns for the credibility of official Executive platforms have been supported by millions of reactions to a White House social media post on Feb. 14, 2025.  The post was a take on a Valentines...

Pictured is the view from a window of an airliner flying from Moline to O’Hare International Airport.

2025 Aviation incidents raise concerns, but air travel remains safe and efficient

Sabrina Richards, A&E Editor February 24, 2025

The new year has brought many unexpected and exciting changes. However, one issue that has continually arisen in 2025 have been aviation incidents. There have been four major, high profile plane crashes...

Trump’s new tariffs could halt long-time trade relations with allied countries such as Canada and Mexico. This move would harm the American economy which has relied on foreign trade and relations for centuries.

Trump’s tariff policy: How new tariffs may impact the American economy

Clark Lechtenberg, Multimedia Manager February 18, 2025

On Feb. 1, the Trump administration enacted a series of tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, claiming they would stop the flow of fentanyl and undocumented migrants into the US country. This includes 25%...

Students are distracted by their phones and unable to focus on their schoolwork.

Governor Kim Reynolds enacts phone ban in all Iowa schools starting next school year

Swetha Narmeta, Feature Editor February 18, 2025

Governor Kim Reynolds implemented a new law on January 24, 2025 stating phones are banned in classrooms in Iowa schools. This law will go into effect starting July 1, 2025 and will continue through the...

The construction due to the water main break has blocked off the main entrance.

PV students and staff navigate the impacts of the unexpected water main break

Ava Sauser, Student Life Editor February 7, 2025

On Monday Feb. 27th, PV families were notified that the high school schedule would be starting two hours later due to a water main break. The unprecedented event impacted students and staff more than anticipated. The...

The newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral glistens with its restored marble and intricate spires. Tourists, like the Treiber family pictured, are eagerly visiting the monument again.

Photo Credit to Estelle Treiber

Notre Dame Cathedral globally inspires culture to thrive

Sydney Smith, Feature Editor January 14, 2025

The Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening on Dec. 7, 2024 has elevated the atmosphere in Paris. The famous Notre Dame now continues to inspire global travel and encourage people to explore other cultures...

Students wake up to find 2 inches of snow, making driving difficult

Iowa prepares for a possible winter storm coming from the South

Rithwick Lakshmanan, Site Manager January 14, 2025

A major winter storm moving toward Iowa from the south is expected to deliver heavy snow and ice alongside strong winds, causing hazardous conditions for the Quad-Cities from January 8-10th. This storm...

Load More Stories
Donate to Spartan Shield
$1000
$2000
Contributed
Our Goal

Activate Search
News