Dear Northside Community,

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have started the New Year on a positive note. Many of you may already know that Lisa Jones, our beloved Middle School Bible and Geography teacher, has been in the hospital for just over two weeks and remains in the critical care unit. I am writing this e-mail to update you on her condition.

Lisa was admitted to the hospital on December 20 experiencing severe pain in her abdomen. Since that time it has been determined that she is experiencing a very severe case of pancreatitis. This episode has resulted in severe pain and inflammation that has led to the need for a ventilator to assist lung function. As of today, Lisa has made some positive strides.  Her pain level is better and she is more comfortable, even though she has a long way to go.  Lisa continues to be sedated to help alleviate the pain, but not as much as the past couple of weeks. At this time Lisa is not accepting visitors, however, we are accepting cards for Lisa at the high school and middle school office.

We would like to ask that the entire Northside community continue to lift Lisa, her parents, and the doctors up in prayer. Please pray that the doctors would have wisdom as they seek answers, and that Lisa and her family experience comfort and peace as they work through this very difficult time. We are also asking that the entire community be careful with things that may be said to others or posted on social media. As a school, we would like information about Lisa's condition to remain as "fact based" as possible, and ask that we all use caution in sharing information that may not be based on fact. Dean of Students, Mr. Lee Lockhart, has been designated as our NCS point of contact for information about Lisa's condition, and we ask that questions about Lisa be directed to him.   As Lisa's condition changes we will update our school family as we see appropriate.

Finally, Mrs. Cheryl Christiansen has agreed to serve as a long-term substitute teacher in Lisa's absence for as long as she may be needed. We are thankful that she has taken the time to come to school during the Christmas break to prepare. Please keep her in your prayers as well, as she takes on this important role. Dean Lockhart and I will be talking to all of Ms. Jones classes on Tuesday, and will provide appropriate answers to any questions students may have. Finally, if you are the parent of a middle school student, please encourage your child to show an extra degree of respect and cooperation in Mrs. Christiansen's classroom during this time.

Thank you for your partnership with us in working through this situation in a way that honors Lisa's continuing commitment to her students and to her work here at Northside.

In His service,

Dr. Michael Roskamp. Ph. D.

Middle/High School Principal

Northside Christian School