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South Albany High School graduate Mike Perry and his wife Amy own a growing business. Snoofy Bee is a portable diaper-changing station that restricts baby’s hands during the changing process. The couple started the business from scratch after they had their second child.

South Albany seniors the heard whole experience, from idea to production during the required senior economics class, taught by Andy Winn. The couple also shared their experiences raising funds for the business, which included an appearance last November on Shark Tank, and marketing, which included a product demonstration and interview on the Steve Harvey Show.

Students were allowed to ask questions during the Perry’s presentation. The couple shared their lessons about what worked and what didn’t as they built a business that started with an idea and is now a growing business with manufacturers in China and sales from retail outlets and online merchants.

The lessons included how to proceed despite the naysayers; starting a new business while working – Mike was employed as a janitor when Snoofy Bee began; pursuing a patent; managing inventory – initially in their home; and finding reputable manufacturers that produce high-quality products.

One of the main lessons students learned is that starting a business is difficult but possible. “Starting a company is really hard and most people fail,” said Mike. “It takes a lot of work to do something out of the norm, but it is totally doable.”

Read more about the Perry’s presentation at South Albany High School in the Democrat-Herald. 

A new Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment Task Force will meet in two community forums at the end of January and beginning of February to develop a plan to reduce behaviors that negatively impact our community and our schools.

The goal is to generate a community-based “call to action” in response to our common concerns related to these issues. The task force leaders include South Shore Principal Kraig Sproles, Calapooia Middle School Principal Gina Ayers, Albany Options Principal John Hunter, and District Human Resources Administrator Rich Sipe.

The purpose of the forums will be twofold.  First, we will work together to formulate an understanding of the scope and nature of bullying and harassment in our community, and second, we will develop a community “Call to Action” in response. This plan will be presented to the school Board for their review and consideration in March.

The community is invited to attend the two community forums.

• The first forum will be on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at Albany Options School, 701 SE 19th Avenue (across the street from Sunrise Elementary School).
• The second forum will be on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. at Albany Options School.

Each meeting is expected to last about 90 minutes.

Several community partners will be represented at the forums, including the Albany Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Linn County Mental Health, the City of Albany, FACT, Albany Boys and Girls Club, CAP, local faith community, and the YMCA.

Linn Benton Community College is offering free parenting classes at three sites, starting in January. Classes are free and include dinner and child care.

The Albany class is The Incredible Years. It will run from Jan. 10 to March 21 at DHS, 118 2nd Avenue.

For families with children ages 2–10. Raise responsible children! Use play and praise to build a more cooperative relationship with your children. Learn how to make clear family rules. Prevent and reduce behavior problems. Improve your children’s social skills.

Read the flyer for more information about the classes scheduled for Albany, Corvallis and Sweet Home.

This year, Oak Elementary School students spend the last hour of the day every Friday participating in Genius Hour, modeled after Google’s employee free time program that allows exploration of special projects and areas of interest.

Before break, Democrat-Herald reporter Jennifer Moody and video producer Jessica Habjan visited the school during Genius Hour.

Read the story.
Watch the video.

Early bird registration is open for the annual iRun for Kids fundraiser on March 17. Shirts are guaranteed for participants who register before Feb. 23.

All proceeds benefit Albany Public Schools Foundation programs for students. Learn more or register on the APSF website.