School grieving death of student

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

Tessa, 9, died Saturday at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The cause of death was not disclosed Monday.

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

Her fourth-grade teacher, Susan Sauer, said Tessa always walked into class with a smile on her face and a book in hand.

"Tessa was just what every child should be -- caring, giving, helpful," Sauer said. "She never had a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. She was full of life, full of energy. She had so much left to give."

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."