Naperville school mourning fourth-grader's passing

Students and faculty at Naperville's Spring Brook Elementary School are in mourning today following the unexpected death of fourth-grader Tessa Marie Casten, authorities said.

Tessa, 9, died Saturday at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

She was involved in the Spring Brook Singers Club, music, dance, swimming and gymnastics. She also was a Brownie with Troop 1924.

Visitation for Tessa will be from 2 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 24021 W. Royal Worlington Drive, Naperville.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Book Road and 111th Street, Naperville. Interment will follow in Risen Lord Cemetery, Oswego.

Her elementary school has implemented a crisis plan to support students and faculty, interim Principal Moira Arzich wrote in a letter to parents dated Sunday.

"We will have access to district social workers and school psychologists who will be available to all students who want to talk," she wrote. "In the days and weeks ahead, students may have questions and concerns. As they work through their feelings and grief, our continued support will be available here at school."