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

Mrs. Berger utilizes comfortable chairs and posters to liven up her room.

Teachers strive to create comfortable learning environments in their classrooms

Harper Clark, Student Life Editor November 11, 2021

Surrounded by cinder blocks and windowless walls, students spend seven hours in classrooms listening to lectures, participating in class discussions and running labs every single day.  The lack of...

College students Emmie Peters and Muskan Basnet’s dorm at the University of Iowa.

Dorm living: How residence halls aid in a smooth transition to adulthood

Jillian Keppy, PV Only Editor November 11, 2021

The lifestyle that students have while living in dorms in college is unlike any other. Living in dorms in college is a unique experience students will only have once. Residence halls are the perfect...

 Josie Olderog poses with many books used in PVHS english curriculum.

PV’s dedication to keeping important literature in the classroom

Alyssa Smith, Social Media Manager November 8, 2021

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Of Mice and Men,” “The Color of Water” and “The Great Gatsby” are just a few books incorporated into PV’s English curriculum. They are also a few of the many...

Shobini Iyer and Jillian Keppy pose in front of thousands of pounds of cans donated by students and community members for the annual SHD.

PV Student Hunger Drive thrives after a rocky start

Erika Holmberg, Copy Editor November 2, 2021

Every fall marks the kickoff to the annual Student Hunger Drive (SHD), an event that PV has been actively involved in for many years.  SHD combats food insecurity in the area by encouraging students...

A PV student works on homework while maintaining poor posture.

Maintaining balance and health in the midst of a technologically-driven society

Alyse Zuiderveen, Copy Editor November 2, 2021

While technology's detrimental effect on mental health is often discussed, it is also imperative to acknowledge the negative physical ramifications of technology, specifically for students in the classroom. The...

The University of Iowa’s Alpha Delta Pi chapter hosts an event on campus.

More than social clubs: How sorority life helps college students build a foundation for their future

Jillian Keppy, PV Only Editor October 27, 2021

“Paying for friends” and “popularity contests” are phrases often used when describing sororities. However, there is so much more to these Greek communities than meets the eye. Even though Greek...

Pictured above is the Pleasant Valley school district’s logo.

Beneath the core: How students are finding success through electives

Brady Hunter, Multimedia Manager October 26, 2021

A high school diploma signifies that a student is sufficiently credited for their coursework throughout their career. A high school student's portfolio tailors to their future endeavors and specific postsecondary...

Teachers change the Google Classroom deadline from the beginning of class to 11:59 p.m.

The deadline makes a difference: 8:10 a.m. versus 11:59 p.m.

Isa Burkhart, News Editor October 19, 2021

The classwork for Monday: one in-class essay, an AP literature and composition Apology reading, an AP french test and essay back to back, notes due at 11:59 p.m., physics lab practical due at 11:59 p.m.,...

Senior Lily Dumas smiles with a student she met while serving on a mission trip in Belize.

Service learning initiatives work to partner student passion with purpose

Alyse Zuiderveen, Copy Editor October 18, 2021

PV takes great pride in their ability to incentivize students to serve, often sharing that their service learning graduation requirements help grow students’ love for volunteering. This program...

Socially distanced concert seating was one of many changes students faced in the 2020-2021 school year.

A disconnect: The lost class of 2024

Erika Holmberg, Copy Editor October 11, 2021

It is no secret that being a high school freshman is hard, but being one in a pandemic is even harder.  For many students, the 2021-2022 school year returning to normal was a relief. Old clubs and...

Senior Grace Engstrom performed as Chris in “Carrie: The Musical.”

Give it the old college tryout: College auditions for students in the arts

Harper Clark, Student Life Editor October 11, 2021

Application, pre-screen, audition.  This multistep process is more than the typical student has to experience, but for those deciding on a career in the arts, it is the norm. Every year, high school...

Senior Jahni Harn (left) works with her coworker (right) at Jimmy John’s.

Students face resounding effects of the pandemic in their school-work balance

Kushi Maridu, Site Manager October 11, 2021

Many students have struggled to balance school and work even amid pandemic-induced hardships, such as the national labor shortage. COVID-19 hit America more than a year ago, but the ripples are still...

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