Naperville school breaks the terrible news to students

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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 24, 2012 11:25PM

NAPERVILLE — Spring Brook Elementary School administrators and staff devoted much of their time Monday to helping the school community absorb the news that one of their own is gone.

Second-grade teacher Shaun Wild, 24, died early Saturday after he was stabbed during an argument at Frankie’s Blue Room in downtown Naperville.

Faculty members and support staff at the Indian Prairie School District school met with Spring Brook’s administrators over the weekend to finalize plans for addressing the tragedy when school resumed Monday.

“We are prepared for tomorrow and will deliver the information that Mr. Wild has passed away,” Principal Dave Worst wrote in an e-mail to parents Sunday. “Details of the incident will not be shared and if they are brought up, the staff knows how to respond and redirect the conversation. ... Parents of students in Mr. Wild’s class are invited to join their child at the beginning of the school day.”

Indian Prairie spokesman Janet Buglio said 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 since the beginning of the year. Fareeza Habib, 9, a fifth-grader at Spring Brook, her first-grade brother Ashaz, 7, and their parents died in an automobile crash while they were vacationing in India in early January.

Authorities said Wild, a recent North Central College graduate who played on the football team, stepped in to intervene in a fight that broke out at Frankie’s between his friend Willie Hayes, a NCC senior, and suspect Daniel Olaska of Naperville shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday. Hayes also was stabbed and underwent surgery at Edward Hospital and was released by Monday morning. A third victim, Rafael Castenada, a bouncer at Frankie’s, was treated at the hospital and released.

Olaska, 27, remained in the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton Monday on $3 million bond.

According to Assistant State’s Attorney Tim Diamond, the quarrel began after Olaska was teased for drinking beer from a wine glass. The stabbing was recorded on videotape, said Diamond, who reported that Olaska has confessed to the crimes in a written statement.

Olaska’s family released a statement Monday on the incident

“Nothing could have prepared us for this tragedy. We are thankful for all the prayers and support that we are receiving. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the Wild family and all other people involved,” the statement said.

Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel also issued a statement on the tragedy:

“Our city of Naperville has been faced with a very unfortunate situation. 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.”