Naperville school, community leaders grapple with teacher’s murder
By Susan Frick Carlman scarlman@stmedianetwork.com February 6, 2012 10:48AM
A parent walks students to Spring Brook Elementary on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, as a sign memorializes Shaun Wild, a second-grade teacher who was killed over the weekend after being stabbed at Frankie's Blue Room in downtown Naperville. | Jeff Cagle~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 9, 2012 8:05AM
Monday was a difficult day at Spring Brook Elementary School, as faculty and administrators continued mourning the loss of one of their own, and set about helping students assimilate the tragedy.
Shaun Wild, 24, died early Saturday after he was stabbed during an argument inside Frankies Blue Room in downtown Naperville. He was midway through his first year teaching second-graders at Spring Brook.
More than 20 social workers and psychologists from across Indian Prairie District 204 came to the southeast Naperville campus on Monday to provide support as the school community worked through the news.
Principal Dave Worst and his staff had determined that, as much as possible, the gruesome circumstances of Wild’s passing would be kept out of the conversation.
“We came up with a script for the teachers to use, and they told their classes,” Worst said early Tuesday morning. “Obviously, many of them already knew, either from my communication to the families or what they heard on the news.
“We really focused on sharing that this was an unusual incident that happened, and that Mr. Wild died while trying to be a peacemaker, and he died trying to help out, and focused on what he meant to the students, what he meant to the school and what he meant to the community.”
That was a lot. Worst lost a friend when the stabbing took place, someone to whom he was drawn immediately when the two met last summer through Worst’s softball team.
“When we were short a player, he filled in. I got to know him, I interviewed him and just made an instant connection,” he said.
The two new friends played basketball together as well, and when fall came, organized an in-house fantasy football league.
“It’s tough,” Worst said. “Shaun was an amazing person, and he was a person that, when you met him, you instantly liked him. He just had a light about him. He had a big personality, and he had always had a smile on his face.”
The loss hit the school hard, and the glare of the spotlight may not have done much to ease the pain. District spokeswoman Janet Buglio said Chicago television news crews appeared at Spring Brook at 6 a.m. Monday. Worst went out around lunch time to encourage them to leave, she said.
“You can imagine how having five news trucks in front of the school is disruptive for his kids,” Buglio said.
Wild’s death was the second tragedy Spring Brook Elementary has experienced in less than six weeks. Fareeza Habib, 9, a fifth-grader at Spring Brook, her first-grade brother Ashaz, 7, and their parents were killed in a traffic crash in early January while vacationing in India. Worst said the children’s two classrooms had special support on Monday, as did all the second grade teachers who had worked most closely with Wild.
“Obviously we dealt with a significant tragedy a month ago, and we’re dealing with another one now,” he said.
The week began with extraordinary circumstances, but the school community is moving ahead even as it grieves. By Monday afternoon, things were inching back to the normal schedule.
“We gave students time to process in the morning, and they could write letters or draw pictures, or whatever they needed to do to process their feelings,” said Worst, adding that the school would be attempting to resume its usual pace as the days go on. “Kids need routine. We’ll try to stick to our routine as much as possible.”
Elsewhere in the community, organizations were processing the stunning crime as well. Dave Kelsch, chairman of the Naperville Development Partnership, addressed the incident in a statement released Saturday.
“In the wake of the loss of Shaun Wild ... the hearts and prayers of the entire community go out to the Wild family,” the statement read in part.
“This tragedy touches so many in the community,” Kelsch said. “From the family and friends of Shaun Wild, to the teachers and faculty of District 204 and the young students at Spring Brook Elementary, this loss is immeasurable.”
Naperville business owners and residents pride themselves on “the charm and vibrancy of (the city’s) downtown, which has long been renowned for its mix of retail and restaurants that bring thousands of visitors each day,” Kelsch said. “For more than 20 years, Frankies Blue Room has collaborated with city officials and fellow restaurateurs to provide a safe night life in downtown Naperville.”
“Under the guide of its ownership, Frankies Blue Room has always held the safety of its patrons first, employing well‐trained security staff. Despite even the increase in security on Feb. 3‐4, this malicious act found its way into downtown Naperville.”
“The Naperville Development Partnership mourns the loss of such a fine young man, and our hearts go out to families and friends of everyone involved in the events of the evening. We join with North Central College and Indian Prairie School District 204 in expressing our sympathy to the family of Mr. Wild.”
Mayor A. George Pradel also issued a statement Monday on the stabbing.
“Our city of Naperville has been faced with a very unfortunate situation,” Pradel said. “It has brought us to our knees, as we realize how tragedy can strike in a matter of seconds.”
“Immediate reaction on the part of our emergency services, the business owner, North Central College, School District 204 and the religious community reveals the love and care Naperville residents have for each other.”
“This morning, the second-grade class at Spring Brook Elementary has no teacher. Our hearts are broken, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who mourn with us.”
There are many. Worst draws some strength from having come to know his friend, the peacemaker.
“You were a better person if you knew him,” he said. “If you met him, you were a better person.”
Bill Bird contributed to this report.
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