Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Mendham Township, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Mendham Township, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Mendham Township, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
973-587-8638
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Nicholas Angrisani talks about education and reflects on some personal experiences as a student.Mendham Township, NEW JERSEY (October 18, 2022) – Mr. Nicholas Angrisani, is the newly appointed Assistant Principal of Mendham Township Middle School (MTMS). While he is getting to know educators, staff, and students at MTMS he took some time to talk about education and share some of his reflections on being a student himself....
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Mendham Township, NEW JERSEY (October 18, 2022) – Mr. Nicholas Angrisani, is the newly appointed Assistant Principal of Mendham Township Middle School (MTMS). While he is getting to know educators, staff, and students at MTMS he took some time to talk about education and share some of his reflections on being a student himself.
For the past seven years, Mr. Angrisani was a Special Education Teacher and Technology Trainer at Hillsborough Middle School supporting literacy, science, social studies, and study skills. He is a Kean University alumnus with a master's degree from The University of Nottingham in England, and Principal Certification from Thomas Jefferson University.
Q. Can you provide a brief overview of your philosophy on education and managing student behavior? As soon as a child enters the academic world, we are helping them to prepare for life. When a student enters middle school, their learning environment transitions into a more self-reliant and independent structure. Instead of material being presented, students want to engage, to understand the relevance, and to be challenged. They want to discover! I firmly believe in optimizing instructional time by providing meaningful learning experiences for students. You can read about teamwork but collaborating with fellow students on a project is a far more enriching and meaningful experience. This is a good example of what I mean by optimizing instructional time. We have a rigorous curriculum in place to engage all of our students. We challenge our students while providing them with the necessary support to succeed and to grow. Most importantly, we continue to focus on supporting the growth of the “whole student.” We want our students to advance academically AND socially and emotionally.
When it comes to managing behavior, I am a firm advocate of restorative practices and positive reinforcement. Ideally, the focus includes identifying any learning opportunities. The goal is to advance, discover new options, and prevent a negative pattern being established.
Q. Can you share a childhood experience/memory that influenced and perhaps shaped your philosophy on education?As a child going to elementary, middle and then high school, I learned that trust is absolutely essential between the educator and the student. Not only is trust important for learning the required curriculum, but also for a child’s overall development and growth. If a child does not trust you then there is a “gulf” between the student and teacher that impairs the student’s ability to learn. Educators should strive to act as a mentor to their students, understanding that each child is different due to their culture, experiences, and socio-economic background. From a personal reflection, when a teacher or coach built a rapport with me based on trust, then my motivation and self-confidence increased dramatically. This reiterates the point I raised earlier, I believe that utilizing the “whole student approach” can ensure that each student can feel supported both in and out of school.
Q. We live in a fast-evolving environment (pandemic, technology advancements, media communications), can you suggest one or two questions that parents should be asking their children on a regular basis?“How was school today? Can you tell me something that you learned?” These openers may seem like simple questions, yet they are incredibly powerful in putting an emphasis on wanting to know what your child is thinking and doing when they are not with you during the day. Not only asking a child what they learned, but what they thought about the lesson is a nice way to open a dialogue and demonstrate interest in their reasoning capabilities. You may be surprised and impressed by their insights and the conclusions they are forming.
I am also a big advocate of parents asking their children if they want to go for a quick walk. Going outside and enjoying fresh air is great for getting everyone away from long “screen times.” I truly believe that time with the family is everything and going for a walk naturally starts everyone chatting without putting pressure on any one person.
Q. On a lighter note, if you were talking to a student, how would you finish this sentence: "Growing up, I … ."Growing up … well growing up, I made a discovery about myself. Growing up I learned to cook, and I learned that I loved to cook! It may seem a little unusual, but even as a child I began to enjoy researching ingredients for a dish, preparing them, and then creating a dish. I loved the reaction from my family and friends as we tasted the dish I had prepared. When I was in middle school, I began to up my game, and would even prepare a full meal! Everyone in my life supported me with their enthusiasm, I enjoyed making people happy, and I have great memories of conversations around some of the meals I had made. So, I would say to students that growing up, I found I could learn to do something that made me very happy and I would encourage students today to take time and maybe try some new things. You never know, you may surprise yourself with how much fun you are having as you learn to do something new.
Thank you, Mr. Angrisani for taking the time to talk and share your insights with us.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
The Morristown St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of New Jersey's biggest, returns this weekend with a longtime volunteer and dedicated fundraiser leading the procession.Ryan Dawson will serve as grand marshal for this ye...
The Morristown St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of New Jersey's biggest, returns this weekend with a longtime volunteer and dedicated fundraiser leading the procession.
Ryan Dawson will serve as grand marshal for this year's parade, which kicks off at noon on Saturday, March 11. Dawson has helped organize the event for the past 13 years, most notably as chairman of its finance committee, and also as a member and past president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County.
The parade was still on as of Friday afternoon despite a forecast calling for 3 to 4 inches of snow by Saturday morning.
"We are looking forward to stepping off this Saturday at 12 p.m. sharp," said Mike Leavy, a publicity coordinator for the parade committee. "This weather is made for Irish sweaters and Irish coffee!"
More than 4,000 marchers and close to two dozen bands will take part in the parade, which begins on South Street before making its way around the Morristown Green and through town. The day's festivities will get underway with a mass at Assumption Church at 9:30 a.m.
An interactive map on the parade website, paradeday.com, includes a guide to comfort stations and parking around the route. Entertainment will be provided throughout the morning by groups including the Celtic Rebels Band, the Heritage Irish Dance Co. and Morristown High School.
This year's grand marshal nomination was unusual in that Dawson, in addition to his other parade roles, sits on the event's Board of Trustees, which chooses the recipient of the annual honor. Dawson knew he was in contention but was otherwise in the dark about the board's decision, so he was pleasantly surprised to be added to the prestigious history of grand marshals.
"There's so many legends, and I just feel honored to be in that category now," Dawson said on Tuesday.
A Mendham resident who works for Weichert Realtors, Dawson is the first new grand marshal to be selected in three years. Mary Waller was chosen to lead the 2020 parade, but she did not get to serve until last year after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the previous two events.
Dawson's prowess in guiding financial matters for the parade set him apart from other candidates, Leavy said. The event is entirely funded through sponsor donations, he said, and the 2023 grand marshal has been "nothing but perfect" in his work.
With "his dedication to the parade and what it stands for, really it was a no-brainer," Leavy said. "Some people say it was long overdue."
Dawson said the "pinnacle" of the parade season came Friday when he was officially introduced at the grand marshal reception. He became emotional during remarks from James Weichert Jr. and John Murphy − the latter a former Morris Township politician who served as the 2018 grand marshal − and was happy to see so many close friends and family members in attendance.
On parade day, Dawson will march alongside his wife Melinda, with the couple's parents following in an antique car. His favorite part of each year's parade is greeting the sponsors after the procession ends − an activity that he admitted will be extra special as grand marshal.
The parade was first organized in Wharton in 1979 by the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey. The group partnered with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County to move it to Morristown in 1991, where it has become one of the most well-attended St. Patrick's parades in the state.
Kyle Morel is a local reporter covering Morris and Sussex counties.
Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @KMorelNJH
Mendham will receive funds from the Trail Construction Grant Program, according to the Morris County Board of County Commissioners. MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham Township is home to one of eight trail projects recommended for funding by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners as part of the county's Trail Construction Grant Program.The Buck Hill Tract Natural Area park, located off of Temple Wick Road in Mendham Township, will be receiving $42,080 as part of the grant program, officials said. The grant program's goal is...
MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham Township is home to one of eight trail projects recommended for funding by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners as part of the county's Trail Construction Grant Program.
The Buck Hill Tract Natural Area park, located off of Temple Wick Road in Mendham Township, will be receiving $42,080 as part of the grant program, officials said. The grant program's goal is to provide recreational trail use opportunities that benefit communities and improve the quality of life for Morris County residents.
Buck Hill Tract Natural Area is located in the upper reaches of the Passaic River's headwaters. The terrain is made up of rolling hills divided by two streams and interspersed with lowland swamps and springs.
During the County Commissioners' open work session in Morristown, Betty Cass-Schmidt, chair of the Trail Construction Grant Advisory Committee, presented the grant recommendations for 2022 after some consideration.
The presentation went into detail about the planned alterations to the Buck Hill Tract Natural Area park, which included the addition of a.23-mile gravel trail and a five-foot-wide ADA-compliant trail.
The committee's long-term goal is to develop an accessible park in the neighborhood to increase recreational opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities on a 74-acre undeveloped plot of land within the park.
The County Commissioners will vote on whether to accept the grant recommendation at their Dec. 21, 2022 meeting.
Since its inception, the Commissioner-appointed advisory committee has recommended 47 grant awards totaling 28 miles, with 21 of the projects completed.
"The program continues to build momentum. Each year we see new municipalities who had not previously participated, apply to the program. There are also municipalities returning to the program who have had success in previous years. Nine municipalities have received more than one grant," Cass-Schmidt said.
Funding for trail projects comes from the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund, which was established in 1992 and later amended with voter approval in 2002 to create the Historic Preservation Fund.
In 2014, voters approved a ballot measure by a vote of 3 to 1, which would have modified the trust fund once more, allowing trail development as an approved use for a portion of the funds.
"The trail network we have been developing throughout Morris County offers an easy and accessible respite to everyone looking to get outside, exercise or even just to clear their head – by walking, jogging and riding bikes through our bucolic towns," said Commissioner Stephen Shaw, the board liaison to Morris County’s Office of Planning and Preservation.
If the proposed projects are approved by the County Commissioners next week, Morris County will have committed nearly $5 million to the establishment of 28.37 miles of trails in just seven years since the Trail Construction Grant program's inception in 2016.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.SchoolsMichal Ferenc shares some insights on education and offers some practical suggestions for connecting with students.|Updated Thu, Oct 6, 2022 at 10:13 pm ETMendham Township, NEW JERSEY (October 6, 2022) – With the 2022-2023 school year well underway, we had an opportunity to speak with the newly appointed Assi...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
|Updated Thu, Oct 6, 2022 at 10:13 pm ET
Mendham Township, NEW JERSEY (October 6, 2022) – With the 2022-2023 school year well underway, we had an opportunity to speak with the newly appointed Assistant Principal of Mendham Township Elementary School (MTES), Mr. Michal Ferenc, and gather his insights on education and connecting with elementary-aged students.
Members of the community may already know Mr. Ferenc, as he had previously served as Sixth Grade Social Studies Teacher and Technology Integration Specialist at the Middle School in Mendham Township. In both roles, he had the opportunity to work with teachers at all grade levels and subjects at the middle school. Mr. Ferenc was born in Poland and came with his family to the United States when he was five years old. He completed his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership at Montclair State University and acquired his Principal and Supervisor certification in 2017.
Q. Can you provide a brief overview of your philosophy on education and managing student behavior? I believe that every child can learn and that we, as educators, are responsible for providing a well-rounded education with the necessary foundational academic and social/emotional skills to realize their full potential. These skills include the ability to be able to read and process information, explain thoughts and ideas through written and expressive language, and understand mathematical concepts. All of these skills, by being built upon incrementally from early childhood, provide learners with the foundations to pursue any dreams they will have in the future. In addition to these foundational academic skills, schools also have a responsibility to ensure that students have a strong social and emotional foundation to persevere and overcome the obstacles of life.Sometimes certain obstacles may impede a student’s ability to learn, and it is the duty of the school, in partnership with the parents/guardians, to identify the root-cause of the issue and develop an action plan to help the student find success. Which leads to my belief that early intervention is key to helping students make up any skill deficits impeding their development and putting them back on track with peers. Without interventions, students who struggle as readers in first grade will probably continue to struggle in fourth grade and the gap between these learners and their peers continues to widen. These learners are also perceptive of their struggles which in turn may manifest as issues with motivation, behavior, and/or confidence. Which is why it is so important to take into account the whole story of the child when attempting to help a struggling student get back on track and to remember that what we see on the surface are symptoms of an underlying issue that we need to discover and address.
Q. Can you share a childhood experience/memory that influenced and perhaps shaped your philosophy on education?This leads on from my previous answer that every child deserves to learn to read and write, and a child is not responsible for their circumstances. In my own personal experience as a five-year old coming from a non-English speaking country, this belief resonates strongly with me. My educators were pivotal and essential in providing me with a great education and inspiring my academic career. I moved from Poland at the age of five and was fortunate to have great teachers that were willing to put in extra time and effort to help myself and other children acquire the language and assimilate to the culture. They helped me to succeed academically and to excel as a member of my new community. It is because of their commitment to teaching that I knew and felt that I belonged and had opportunities to succeed! I often think about how different my life would have been had I not had those same teachers. I see that same care and commitment with the teaching force at Mendham Township School District and look forward to continuing to support it. As I said, regardless of any student’s circumstances, everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and to be able to participate successfully as a member of their community.
Q. We live in a fast-evolving environment (pandemic, technology advancements, media communications), can you suggest one or two questions that parents should be asking their children on a regular basis?A great dialogue to have with your children on a regular basis is to discuss what may be the peaks and valleys of their day, and to be ready to also share what may have happened during your own day. Children need to understand that you are also human and not every day may go exactly as you want. Even as an adult, you have your own obstacles. It is a great opportunity to model resilience and grit.Another gentle opener with younger children is to ask them what they think the future will look like. Ask them if there is anything happening in the world that they have heard about that does not make sense to them. As much as we would like to protect our children from some of the events of the world, we cannot always control what they hear from peers. This way they can have a platform to share what they are hearing and provide you with an opportunity to discuss events at an age-appropriate level.
Q. On a lighter note, if you were talking to a student, how would you finish this sentence: "Growing up, I ..."Growing up, I loved to get mail addressed to me. It was great to see something in the mailbox addressed to me. I felt like a grown-up. Now, when I get mail it’s only bills and advertisements! So students, enjoy this time. At school you may use your writing skills to prepare cards and thank you notes for parents, teachers, members of the services, and other community members. Remember your notes are probably their favorite mail that they will receive that day!
Thank you, Mr. Ferenc, for taking the time to share your insights with us. We look forward to catching up with Mr. Nicolas Angrisani, Assistant Principal of Mendham Township Middle School, for an upcoming news article.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
The candidates discussed taxes, curriculum, policy-making and more at the forum last week.|Updated Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 8:59 am ETMENDHAM, NJ — Candidates for Mendham Township Board of Education seats face off in a debate hosted by The League of Women Voters last week in the media center of the township's Elementary School.At the end of this year, three three-year terms on the seven-member board will be available. Incumbents Rochelle Abraham, Andrew Christmann and Joan Mody are among the candidates, as is former t...
|Updated Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 8:59 am ET
MENDHAM, NJ — Candidates for Mendham Township Board of Education seats face off in a debate hosted by The League of Women Voters last week in the media center of the township's Elementary School.
At the end of this year, three three-year terms on the seven-member board will be available. Incumbents Rochelle Abraham, Andrew Christmann and Joan Mody are among the candidates, as is former township Mayor and Committeewoman Diana Orban Brown.
Abraham, Mody and Christmann are running as a group, with Brown challenging them and running under the slogan "Transparency for Taxpayers."
The hour-long debate drew all four candidates, who answered questions submitted both in advance and on index cards written by members of the public.
During the forum, there was no audience participation allowed, but all questions posed to the candidates were generated by members of the public and screened by the League to eliminate duplicates and personal attacks.
Each candidate had 90 seconds for opening statements, 60 seconds for answering questions, 30 seconds for rebuttals and 90 seconds for closing statements.
Curriculum:
When asked about the highly debated state's sex education curriculum, all candidates agreed that parents were still able to maintain control and have the right to opt their children out of classes. Mody stated she thought that the lessons were age-appropriate and chosen by professionals.
Christmann agreed and highlighted that the curriculum has gone through a "rigorous process" to be approved before being presented to the public.
Brown agreed, noting that the current curriculum was similar to one from 2014, which was still available on the district's website. Brown also stated that, regardless of their stance, it is critical to hear and consider the concerns of parents, which was a sentiment agreed upon by all candidates.
Abraham praised the curriculum for emphasizing social and emotional learning standards, which she believes are intended to ensure student safety, such as how to identify bullying and how to care for oneself.
District Merger:
When asked if there was a possibility of a K-12 merger with the Chesters, Christmann said it was discussed a few years ago, but that while there could be significant benefits from being a larger district, there were concerns about the value of educational costs.
Abraham said the idea of a merger could be something worth exploring but they would need to consider how it would benefit the students.
Mody also agreed that it is something to consider and the board has considered a merger in the past, but that they would need to see what sort of benefits a merger would bring to the community.
Brown stated that she is in full support of a merger and believes that it would provide many benefits to the community.
Taxes:
Candidates were asked to consider ways to make school taxes more efficient, as they account for roughly 66 percent of the total property tax bill.
Mody defended the board, highlighting the district's various shared services which bring in revenue, particularly the district's busing contracts with other districts.
Brown agreed, calling school taxes "an investment," since the bulk of it goes toward tuition. Brown also claimed that while the busing was good, residents needed to see the profits, not just the revenues. "We have never seen an analysis of how much actually goes toward profits," Brown said.
Christmann stated that the board spends a significant amount of time attempting to reduce costs and reduce the burden on the taxpayer. According to Christmann, the best way to achieve that is through shared services.
Abraham agreed, saying that fiscal responsibility is crucial to the board. "Managing a budget to balance the needs of the students while being considerate of the taxpayer is essential," Abraham said.
When asked about taxpayers who do not have children in the K-8 district, all candidates agreed that, while a sizable proportion of township households do not have children in the district and are seniors living in town, the majority of those households approve of how the district is run.
The debate was live-streamed on YouTube and has been posted to the Morristown Area League of Women Voters YouTube page. To view the entire debate, click here.
