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 Paterson, 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 Paterson, 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 Paterson, 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!
866-793-9933PATERSON — The owner of a Clifton restaurant where the menu features Middle Eastern smoked meats emerged as the high bidder on Tuesday to buy the iconic Libby’s Lunch hot dogs property at Paterson’s Great Falls, officials said.In an online auction, Sal Washah outbid several other restaurant busine...
PATERSON — The owner of a Clifton restaurant where the menu features Middle Eastern smoked meats emerged as the high bidder on Tuesday to buy the iconic Libby’s Lunch hot dogs property at Paterson’s Great Falls, officials said.
In an online auction, Sal Washah outbid several other restaurant businesses by making a commitment to spend $850,000 to acquire the Libby’s property from the city of Paterson, officials said.
Mayor Andre Sayegh was jubilant over the outcome of the auction, conducted by Max Spann Real Estate, for a property assessed at $525,000.
Story continues after photo gallery.
“Once again, we exceeded expectations,” the mayor said of the high bid. “We want to make Paterson a destination for foodies and attract more visitors to the Great Falls.”
Washah said he plans to demolish the Libby’s structure and construct a new three- or four-story business overlooking the Passaic River and Great Falls. It would include a cafe with pastries as well as restaurant dining, including sandwiches and smoked meats “with a Middle Eastern touch.”
“It will be a place anybody can bring his spouse or his family,” said Washah, a retired professor from the New Jersey Institute of Technology who is part-owner of Kanoon on Hazel Street in Clifton.
Washah said he hopes to open his new business in six months.
“It’s a high price,” he said of his $850,000 bid, “but I wanted it very bad.”
Libby’s, which opened in 1936, shut down in 2020 amid the pandemic. City officials and community leaders disagreed over whether the city should sell a property that some described as a gold mine.
Local:Should Bob Dylan get the blame for road repair delays in downtown Paterson?
Councilman Michael Jackson, Sayegh’s primary critic, said Paterson got shortchanged in the auction.
“Number one, I’m not in favor of selling off your assets,” Jackson said. “Number two, it’s going to become much more valuable when the Falls is fully done.”
Even longtime Sayegh supporter Michael Symonds said selling Libby’s was “shortsighted” because of the financial potential of opening a restaurant at the site as development grows around the Great Falls.
During the past year, Paterson has reopened Hinchliffe Stadium, on the other side of the river, and unveiled a new museum at the historic ballpark. The city is finishing work on a major expansion of the national park, which officials said would open in the next few months. Sayegh is also looking to build a state-of-the-art visitor center in the Overlook section of the park.
Second Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique, who represents the district where Libby’s is, said the auction price was higher than expected.
“It goes to show that Paterson is in growth mode, and more investors want to be a part of the progress,” Khalique said.
The sale still needs approval from the City Council before it becomes final. Sayegh said he would get that vote to the council as soon as possible.
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star LaundrySpecializing in processing customer-owned goo...
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry
By Gabriella Dragone
PublishedApril 30, 2024 at 10:45 AM
PATERSON, NJ - Star Laundry, located in Paterson's Fourth Ward, isn't your average laundry service. Under the leadership of President Yaakoub Hijazi, it's become a vital part of the city's economy and a pillar of community support.
"The journey of Star Laundry has been one of growth and opportunity," Hijazi told TAPinto Paterson. "Since taking the helm in 2011, we've witnessed remarkable progress, both in terms of our workforce and our commitment to serving our community."
Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.
Sign Up for FREE Paterson Newsletter
Get local news you can trust in your inbox.
"Paterson has been instrumental in our success story," Hijazi said. "The city's labor force and pro-employer environment have provided us with the ideal platform for growth. We're proud to be part of this vibrant community."
According to Hijazi, unlike bustling metropolitan areas like New York City and Brooklyn, Paterson offers a unique advantage with its ease of access and supportive local government.
With its unionized workforce, Star Laundry provides healthcare and advancement opportunities for roles like drivers, feeders, packers, and office staff. Many employees are from Paterson, some living in Charles Florio's nearby apartment buildings, indicative, Hijazi said, of the type of synergies that exist among those seeking to chart Paterson's economic future.
They also take safety seriously, Hijazi said, pointing out several mechanisms in place to prevent injuries, and describing other protocols, such as weekly safety meetings, so that employees understand safety comes first.
“Star Laundry represents a local business success story for the City of Paterson. Not only do they employ hundreds of Patersonians, they are also choosing to expand at their current location—creating an additional 150 local jobs and helping to further stabilize the area," Mayor Andre Sayegh said, wishing the company continued success.
Looking ahead, Star Laundry's decision to grow by 150 jobs is driven by a positive economic outlook for Paterson and the broader hospitality industry. As hospitality rebounds post-COVID, the company's expansion plans include venturing into new markets outside of New Jersey.
"As we look to the future, our goal is to not only expand our operations but also to contribute positively to the communities we serve," Hijazi said. "We're committed to creating a workplace that fosters growth, diversity, and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive."
Beyond job creation, Star Laundry invests in employee well-being, including by hosting family days and planning the development of on-site amenities like laundromats, delis, and gyms.
Star Laundry isn't just a business, Hijazi said, it's a force for change, driving growth, empowerment, and inclusion in Paterson and beyond.
3-minute readPaterson Press...
Paterson Press
PATERSON — The new museum at Hinchliffe Stadium opened to visitors on Thursday morning in a ceremony celebrating the city's historic legacy.
Among the attendees was Destine’e Petit, a 12th grader at Paterson’s Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts. She was part of the school choir that sang the national anthem at the start of the museum ribbon-cutting event and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the conclusion.
“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” the teenager said of the museum. “It puts a positive take on Paterson instead of all the negativity.”
Her choir director, John Chapman, saw an opportunity for a teachable moment as he pointed at a museum display panel that talked about a concert by Kool & the Gang at Hinchliffe, which was organized by a Paterson teen in the 1970s.
Chapman told his student that she was no different from the youth who set up the show by the world-famous band. “You can do anything,” Chapman told Destine’e, “if you want to do it and put in the work.”
That advice echoed the theme of many of the speeches on Thursday, as officials talked about Hinchliffe’s national landmark status for being one of two stadiums still standing from the Negro Leagues baseball era of the mid-20th century. The ballpark — which had been closed for 26 years — reopened in 2023 as part of a $108 million project that includes the new museum.
Exhibits include a look at the life of Larry Doby, a graduate of Paterson's Eastside High School and baseball Hall of Famer; one on Hinchliffe's construction during the Great Depression in 1932, and a virtual look at the era of midget car racing at the stadium.
Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell talked about Charles Muth, an alum who made a $5 million donation for the museum, noting that Muth had attended School 5, across the street from Hinchliffe. Paterson teachers can point to Muth's name on the museum to inspire their students, Koppell said.
“That guy, he was sitting in the very classroom where you are today,” Koppell said.
Montclair State officials said the college has spent about $228,000 of Muth’s gift so far on staff salaries and operating costs for the museum, including the hiring of its director, Jessica Bush.
For the next few weeks, the museum will be open on an appointment basis only, Bush said. When the New Jersey Jackals start their season in May, the museum will be open to ticket holders an hour before game time, Bush said. Eventually, it will have regular visiting hours for the public, she said.
Koppell predicted that as word spreads about the new museum, people with mementos from Hinchliffe’s heyday will come forth with an “outpouring” of things “they’ve been storing in their basements.”
Meanwhile, construction has stalled on the food court on the first floor of the museum building. There’s been no sign of work proceeding on that project for months. Officials said they were unsure when the food court would open.
4-minute readPATERSON — Almost 1,000 students who speak limited English began attending Paterson Public Schools during the current academic year, according to enrollment reports released last week.The district went from having 6,395 students designated as Limited English Proficient, or LEP, for 2022-23 to 7,384 for 2023-24, according to the enrollment reports. That’s an increase of about 15.5%, or 989 students.The LEP students make up about 26% of the district’s total enrollment of 28,2...
PATERSON — Almost 1,000 students who speak limited English began attending Paterson Public Schools during the current academic year, according to enrollment reports released last week.
The district went from having 6,395 students designated as Limited English Proficient, or LEP, for 2022-23 to 7,384 for 2023-24, according to the enrollment reports. That’s an increase of about 15.5%, or 989 students.
The LEP students make up about 26% of the district’s total enrollment of 28,270. In 2022-23, the LEP children amounted to 23% of the entire district.
The LEP designation includes students who mainly speak Bangladeshi, Arabic and Turkish. The school enrollment report did not provide a breakdown of students’ main languages. But officials said they believe the majority of the new 989 LEP students are Spanish-speaking.
“Paterson has always been an immigrant city,” said Board of Education President Manny Martinez.
District administration officials did not immediately provide answers when asked Friday what steps they took to handle the surge in non-English speakers. The district for almost 10 years has operated a “Newcomers” program for recent immigrants, but its enrollment is slightly more than 200 students.
Many other schools throughout the city offer classes for children categorized as English Language Learners, or ELL. Administration officials have not said whether they needed to increase funding for the LEP program, expand the number of classes for ELL students or hire additional bilingual teachers.
The surge in the LEP enrollment was not a topic of any extensive discussions at school board meetings during the 2023-24 year.
“I think we were able to absorb many of these students in the current programs,” said Martinez.
The enrollment reports show that 634 of the additional LEP students were in grades kindergarten through 8. That’s more students than the number currently attending almost every one of Paterson's 34 elementary schools.
“We’re going to have to put more resources into programs to educate these kids who are Limited English Proficiency,” said Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Fund advocacy group.
Grant said the district won’t be able to start teaching those children subjects like math or science effectively until they have command of the English language.
The data in the district’s enrollment reports is based on student numbers on Oct. 15, the standard counting day for schools throughout New Jersey. Local school officials then spend almost two months preparing the enrollment reports before they send them to the New Jersey Department of Education in December.
Paterson Press has been seeking the city school district’s 2023-24 enrollment information since last October. District officials sent the reports to this reporter on Feb. 15.
School board member Kenneth Simmons said the surge in LEP enrollment should not be surprising considering the proliferation of new apartment buildings rising in Paterson in the past couple of years. He said many of the families moving into those apartments are Spanish speakers.
“It’s a huge challenge for the district,” Simmons said. “We already have a shortage of teachers, especially in the ESL [English as a Second Language] category.”
Many of the new housing developments in Paterson received tax breaks and won’t have to pay their full share for 20 to 30 years. Simmons said the new developments have contributed to the recent streak of school tax increases. He said the housing brings more children to Paterson, creating additional expenses for the schools, without providing the district with extra revenue to cover those costs.
More from Paterson Press:Another big school tax hike — 8% as currently proposed — looms for Paterson
Mayor Andre Sayegh has championed the city’s surge in new housing.
“Paterson is in growth mode evidenced by the unprecedented amount of development that has taken place in the last five years,” the mayor said when asked about the influx of non-English-speaking students. “Moreover, we work with the school district as best we can to accommodate all students.”
Councilman Luis Velez represents the 5th Ward area that was the focal point of Paterson’s Latino immigration in recent years. New Roberto Clemente School, which houses the Newcomers program, is in the 5th Ward.
“It makes them feel very comfortable,” he said of Spanish-speaking immigrants. “They can come here and they don’t have to go right away to a school where everybody only speaks English.”
But it’s clear there’s no room at the Newcomers programs for the majority of the district’s new LEP students. Grant said she recalled that last year the district moved some of its ESL teachers to School 8 to make that building a focal point for children in LEP.
Velez said he thinks one of the reasons for the influx of LEP students has been a trickle-out effect from New York City’s migrant population. He said immigrants were leaving New York and settling elsewhere.
“Now we have to deal with it,” the councilman said.
3-minute readPATERSON — School 3, which was shut down for safety reasons after a ceiling collapse last summer, likely will remain closed for at least another 18 months, education officials say.The Paterson Board of Education is weighing two options for repairing the building, and officials acknowledged...
PATERSON — School 3, which was shut down for safety reasons after a ceiling collapse last summer, likely will remain closed for at least another 18 months, education officials say.
The Paterson Board of Education is weighing two options for repairing the building, and officials acknowledged during a special meeting last week that they have not identified all the funding needed for either proposal.
The less expensive choice, a $5.7 million plan, would produce a school that officials said would fall short of some regulations, such as those in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The $7.8 million option would include $250,000 for fire safety sprinklers, $1.2 million for air conditioning and ventilation improvements and $300,000 for a wheelchair lift.
The 300 students from School 3, which is on Main Street, have been reassigned since the building's closure. Those in lower grades go to Dale Avenue School, less than half a mile away, and the older children have been sent to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, on the other side of the city.
A contingent of School 3 parents who attended the March 7 meeting expressed frustrations with the current arrangement, asserting that they have not been given adequate information about the district’s plans.
Some parents said the distance to get to King school caused difficulties when they had to pick up youngsters being sent home for illness. Others said their children missed what they described as the “family” environment at School 3. The parents implored education officials to get the repairs done as soon as possible.
Last August, district officials estimated that the School 3 repairs would cost $2.1 million and require 16 weeks to get done. Officials have not provided an explanation of why seven months have passed with little tangible progress.
“I don’t want to come back to another meeting where we’re talking about options,” said school board Vice President Kenneth Simmons. “I think this is the fourth meeting where we’ve been told about options … We just need to make sure it gets done.”
Special Report:Unsafe stairs. Leaking closets. No walls. As Paterson schools crumble, students struggle
Board President Manny Martinez said part of the district’s challenge has been the age of the building — which opened in 1899. He said the millions of dollars in repair proposals would “still have students attending a school that’s over 125 years old.”
Officials said constructing a new school at the current School 3 site wasn’t practical because of the proximity of the nearby buildings.
“Part of the issue was the space was not enough to accommodate what’s considered an educationally adequate facility,” said Superintendent Laurie Newell.
In a presentation at last week’s meeting, Business Administrator Richard Matthews said the proposed opening of the school would be during the 2025-26 academic year. But the work can’t start until the Board of Education finds all the money it needs and awards the various contracts for design and construction.
Councilman Luis Velez, who represents the 5th Ward, where School 3 is, said construction could get delayed by various factors, including unforeseen problems, bad weather and financial issues.