OAKLAND — The day before his teachers joined a one-day strike, Steven Daubenspeck was a sleep-deprived ball of nerves.
It's not unusual for the principal of Futures Academy to worry about the well-being of his elementary school students, who are exposed to high levels of violence and stress in their East Oakland neighborhood. The impending strike, however, brought his anxiety to new heights.
"We're dealing with a community that's dependent on our school," Daubenspeck said. "We'll make do, we'll survive. I just don't want it to be at a cost to the children."
On Thursday, his young teaching staff lined International Boulevard with picket signs, drawing supportive honks from passing cars and trucks. It was a sunny day, but not too hot. The mood was upbeat, even festive.
Inside the school, Daubenspeck's relief was visible. Much of the tension that had gripped him the day before had dissipated, he said. Only about 50 children had come to school, and there were more than enough substitutes and volunteers on hand to supervise them. He visited each class, asked how they were feeling (good, safe) and promised to return with his guitar if all went well.
"Things are great," he said. "We're actually having a fun day."
Any sense of relief brought on by the end of a peaceful strike or the