Students and teachers alike are waiting in apprehension since hearing that Paly English teacher Barry Bergstrom has fallen ill.

Bergstrom has been home for rest after falling sick and going to the hospital due to a currently unknown ailment on Feb. 2. While information on Bergstrom’s condition is currently scant, it is known that he was feeling ill on Feb. 2 and left in an apparent state of discomfort before the scheduled substitute could arrive.

Doctors believe that it was some type of blood infection that struck him, although they do not know of the specifics. While doctors were unable to diagnose the illness, they managed to bring it under control.

Substitute teacher Dr. Han taught Bergstrom’s Paly English classes for the past two weeks. Kindel Launer has taken Han’s role as the Paly English department decided that it was best if they brought in a long-term substitute teacher.

The doctors caring for Bergstrom felt confident enough to take the Paly English teacher out of the intensive care unit. He is currently at home resting indefinitely.

Launer, currently a student at Notre Dame University, is looking for a teaching internship and wants to become a permanent teacher. She will teach all of Bergstrom’s classes indefinitely, as the length of his leave is currently unknown.

Bergstrom, who does not want to be called on the telephone, is allowing students to write letters to him.

"He’s enjoying the letters," Paly English department instructional advisor Tom Schellenberg said. Students of Bergstrom can contact him by mailing him at 1063 Stokes Ave., Cupertino CA 95014.

Schellenberg has been checking up on Bergstrom via phone, and has talked to his wife. According to Schellenberg, Bergstrom’s condition is improving.

Bergstrom teaches Exploratory Thinking 1 and Critical Thinking 2 for sophomores.