High school meet at DAMHS, we perform but do not compete against the HS, 7:45am-3:30pm

Family Night: Durand 5pm-6:30pm in Middle School Cafeteria

Level II Tournament @ Assumption, pickup at Assumption around 6-6:30

Happy Valentine’s Day! Celebrating this day is the perfect opportunity for me to share with all of you how much I LOVE being the middle school principal for Durand-Arkansaw Middle School. This begins with having the most outstanding students who are creative, kind, strong leaders, and always willing to try just a bit more in every way from academics to behavior, to social-emotional development. The students are learning and thriving here thanks to our incredible staff. We truly have the most amazing team of middle school staff who care and strive each day to ignite growth in all of our students. Our staff team includes our teachers, office administrative assistants, counselors, lunchroom staff, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, coaches, instructional coach, library & media specialist, library staff, custodians, SRO, social workers, and volunteers who positively impact our students each and every day. Besides having the chance to work with the best students and staff I am incredibly fortunate to have the chance each day to work alongside an amazing team of administrative leaders Dr. Ryan Nelson, Mrs. Zagozen, Mr. Trudeau, and Mr. Semingson. Combining all of this under the guidance of a truly invested school board and the best community has been a gift that is a job, but a much greater purpose of love each day in my position as the proud Durand-Arkansaw Middle School Principal.

This week I would like to celebrate:

• Mrs. Prissel for leading the middle school team in helping to coordinate One Heart, One Team week.

• Mrs. Raether for coordinating a bake sale to raise funds to help the Deaver family and the high school foods class for making many great baked goods to sell.

• Mrs. Carr and the 8th grade students who spent time creating posters to raise awareness about Heart Health Month.

As you are reading this you might be asking yourself who are the Deavers? I want to share helpful background information about the Deaver family and why we are spending time to help them this month. Mrs. Deaver is a dedicated special education teacher at Durand-Arkansaw Middle School, and Mr. Deaver is a high school math teacher at Ellsworth High School. Together, they have impacted the lives of so many students, always giving their time, energy, and hearts to ensure their students feel supported and capable. Now, they need our support as the journey to welcome Baby Prescott into the world has them facing many significant challenges.

When Morgan and Brent found out they were expecting their first child, they knew the pregnancy would be high-risk, but nothing could have prepared them for the terrifying journey ahead. Morgan’s pregnancy was filled with complications and frightening moments, but the most critical came when she had to be airlifted to the hospital for an emergency cesarean. In those moments, they came dangerously close to losing both Morgan and baby Prescott. Thanks to the incredible medical team, Morgan survived, and Prescott arrived much earlier than expected, but their journey was far from over.

A little background to better understand their journey starts with Morgan being born with Noonan Syndrome, a genetic condition that has led to significant health challenges throughout her life. As an infant, she spent 11 of her first 12 months in the hospital due to a heart condition including a hole in her heart requiring major surgery at a very young age, and she has faced every challenge since with incredible strength and determination.

Now, baby Prescott is receiving specialized care in the NICU at Marshfield, WI, where he will need to remain until what would have been his original due date at the beginning of March. At this time there is concern that Prescott may have similar heart complications, with hope that as he continues to grow that any hole in his baby heart is able to close as he grows to full-term in the NICU. While he is already proving to be a fighter, this means weeks of intensive medical care, long days and nights at the hospital, and many unexpected expenses for the Deaver family.

Just as Morgan was beginning her recovery and adjusting to life as a NICU mom, another emergency struck. On January 29, 2025, Morgan was rushed back to the hospital, facing yet another life-threatening situation. She required hours of blood transfusions and other urgent medical interventions to stabilize her. While she is now receiving the care she needs, this setback has added to the emotional, physical, and financial toll on their family.

Anyone who knows the Deavers knows that they are the type of people who live their lives to uplift, support, and give to others. They never want to burden anyone and would never ask for help themselves—but right now, they need us. They are incredibly grateful for every bit of love, kindness, and support during this difficult time.

The costs associated with Prescott’s NICU stay and Morgan’s continued medical care are overwhelming—medical bills, travel expenses, time away from work, and all the essentials that come with caring for a premature baby while recovering from such traumatic medical events. Our goal is to ease the financial burden so Morgan and Brent can focus entirely on what matters most: being there for Prescott and helping him grow stronger every day.

Morgan has spent her life advocating for and supporting students with special needs, always putting others before herself. Now, it’s our turn to support her, Brent, and their little fighter, Prescott.

Important Upcoming Events:

• Monday, February 17, 2025-Friday, February 21, 2025 One Heart, One Team Week

• Tuesday, February 18, 2025-Wear Your Favorite Jersey, Bring Suggested Donation of $1+ to participate in a friendly Panther Time vs. Panther Time Competition (Donations Go to Deaver Family) Top Earning Panther Time Will Play in an Exhibition Basketball Game vs. Teachers

• Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Quarter Three Incentive Trip-Science Museum of Minnesota & Omni Theater Experience

• Friday, March 14, 2025 Student-Family-Teacher Conferences

• Monday April 7, 2025-Friday, April 11, 2025 Wisconsin Forward Testing Week-Middle School

• Tuesday, May 27, 2025 6th & 7th Grade Strawberry Social Band & Choir Concert In the Park

• Wednesday, May 28, 2025 8th Grade Promotion

• Thursday, May 29, 2025 Students Last Day of School

Thank you for all you continually do to support our students and school!

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Sarah Sabelko