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 Watchung, 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 Watchung, 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 Watchung, 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!
866-793-9933
WATCHUNG, NJ — Its vast parking lot empty, white shelves seen through the window stripped bare, the shuttered Bed Bath & Beyond at Watchung Square Mall is one of the latest brick-and-mortar stores to fall to changing times and consumer habits.The closure was no shock to locals: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., which is headquartered in Union, recently ...
WATCHUNG, NJ — Its vast parking lot empty, white shelves seen through the window stripped bare, the shuttered Bed Bath & Beyond at Watchung Square Mall is one of the latest brick-and-mortar stores to fall to changing times and consumer habits.
The closure was no shock to locals: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., which is headquartered in Union, recently filed bankruptcy protection in United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. Still, some are feeling its loss.
“I used to love to just go walk in there,” said Linda Nieporent of Fanwood. Her husband would always give her gift cards to the store for Hannukah, she said.
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“It was fun to just walk around that store. Not really stuff you really needed, necessarily, but fun stuff,” Nieporent said.
Others won’t miss the big box store, located next to a Target and in the same shopping center as a Walmart and a Home Depot.
“I actually haven't been in store for 10 years,” said Westfield resident Rebecca Reissman.
“I was more upset when Harmon’s closed, because it was a local spot where I'd run into pick up stuff,” she added, “versus Bed Bath & Beyond, which I just didn't use. I’d go to Target, instead, or I’d order online.”
The Westfield Harmon Face Values store on South Avenue, which also was owned by parent company Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., closed earlier this year.
The closures are the latest examples of national trends affecting local stores. In January, the Westfield Williams Sonoma shop closed.
As of Wednesday, April 26, store closing sales are commencing at remaining Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby stores (also owned by Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc), the company said. All items purchased will be “as is” and are final sale.
Customers can no longer redeem coupons or earn Welcome Rewards, the company said, but they can redeem gift cards, store credits and merchandise credits through close of business on May 8, the company said. Returns and exchanges for items purchased prior to April 26 will be accepted in accordance with their usual policies through the close of business on May 24, it said.
TAMPA — The dream hatched when Anthony Volpe was a little kid living in Watchung, N.J. Besides family, baseball was a first love and Yankee Stadium was just 40 miles from home, so the Yankees were his team.Little Anthony would go to the Bronx with his parents for games and religiously watched...
TAMPA — The dream hatched when Anthony Volpe was a little kid living in Watchung, N.J. Besides family, baseball was a first love and Yankee Stadium was just 40 miles from home, so the Yankees were his team.
Little Anthony would go to the Bronx with his parents for games and religiously watched most of the others on TV.
All Volpe ever wanted to do with his life was play shortstop for the Yankees. Actually, that’s not entirely true. He wanted to win World Series playing shortstop for the Yankees.
“Since as long as I can remember,” Volpe said before prefacing, “I’m probably the same as a lot of the kids my age, a lot of my classmates, all my teammates. But this was a lot of dreaming.”
It was more than dreaming. Baseball was Volpe’s passion for as long as he can remember, too. He was determined from a young age to do everything he could to someday be a Yankee. That required hours and hours of working on all parts of his game around the calendar.
Early on, Volpe’s raw talent and work habits stood out wherever he played.
Now, as a 21-year-old young man who makes as good an impression off the field as on, Volpe’s dream is coming true.
Heading into his first big-league spring training this year, Volpe was a longshot to break camp with the Yankees. The starting shortstop was open, but 2022 starter Isiah Kiner-Falefa and hotshot rookie Oswald Peraza were the co-favorites.
“You never know, (Volpe) could still kick the door in and force the onus on us,” manager Aaron Boone told YES in January.
On Sunday afternoon, after the Yankees’ 6-3 win over the Blue Jays, Volpe was called into Boone’s office and told he’s made the team. Come Thursday, Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, Volpe will be the Yankees’ shortstop.
“I think when we take a step back and evaluate, he really checked every box that we could have had for him and absolutely kicked the door in and earned this opportunity,” Boone said.
Overcome with emotion, Volpe said, “This day and this moment is what I’ve worked my whole life for.”
Volpe earned it. After March 9, Kiner-Falefa didn’t play any shortstop and prepped for a utility role that would include infield and outfield. Last Monday, with Peraza slumping offensively and Volpe still putting on shows every time he played, the Yankees’ front office and coaching staff met to talk about roster decisions.
By then, Volpe had won over everyone in so many ways. He has just 22 games of Triple-A experience and no big-league time, but the Yankees brass decided their No. 1 prospect two years running was ready.
“He came into this camp continuing to reinforce everything he’s done at every level, which is standout amongst everyone,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “He showed up early (for spring training). I want to say it was December. On his own. Voluntarily. He knew there was a competition and he was intent on winning it.
“From the defensive side, from the offensive side, from one of the first to get here in the morning pre-game or pre-practice to one of the last to leave, he just dominated all sides of the ball in February and March.”
Volpe was eight won their last World Series in 2009. Then, Derek Jeter was the face of the Yankees, so of course he was a childhood hero for Volpe.
But Volpe saw Jeter as more than a great player. He recognized the intangibles and makeup that added to the Hall of Fame shortstop’s greatness and made sure those traits were a part of his baseball DNA.
Volpe always was more than a fan. He was schooled to play the game the right way, so he looked up to the players who ran out every groundball, the ones who turned singles into hustling doubles, the ones who threw to the right base all the time.
From the time Volpe was in grade school, he always was the star on the ballfield, too. Although usually one of the smallest players, his bat-to-ball skills were better than the other kids he played with and against. He also learned from a young age how to work pitchers. He learned how to hit the ball where it was pitched and drive baseballs to the opposite field. He practiced bunting until it was a big strength. He used his speed to steal a lot of bases while training to run faster. His defense always was superb. His baseball IQ always was off the charts.
Volpe advanced from New Jersey youth leagues to traveling teams to high school ball at Delbarton with a lot of USA Baseball events mixed in around the country and globe.
By his senior year at Delbarton, Volpe’s mission to someday play for the Yankees no longer was farfetched. That spring, Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer selected Volpe in the first round of the 2019 draft, 30th overall.
“Damon and his staff out of the amateur scouting department … they placed a bet on him coming out of Delbarton,” Cashman said. “They said the tools would play. They said the makeup was off the chart and he would earn everything every step of the way.”
At the time of the draft, Volpe had committed to go to college to play for national power Vanderbilt, but there was no way he was headed to Nashville after the Yankees picked him.
“It was a once in a lifetime chance to get into the organization,” said Volpe, who received a $2.7 million signing bonus from the Yankees.
Still a long way from the big leagues, Volpe started the climb up the organization ladder that summer. He played rookie ball in 2019, then sat out a whole year when COVID wiped out the entire 2000 minor-league season.
Volpe used this time off to hone all of his baseball skills at home, then the next year he soared up the prospects rankings putting up sensational numbers playing for the Low-A Tampa Tarpons and High-A Hudson Valley Renegades.
Last year was a homecoming that initially brought some adversity. Playing just a few miles from home for the Double-A Somerset Patriots, Volpe was hitting .202 through June 3 before getting hot and staying hot. By the end of the season, Volpe’s stats were impressive and he got some Triple-A experience.
“I’m just happy with all the work I’ve put in,” Volpe said. “I feel like I improved a lot in different parts of my game.”
Scouts and prospects experts grew to love Volpe’s game so much that he’s been a top five prospect in baseball last year and this year.
But heading into spring training, the thinking throughout the industry was that Volpe wasn’t quite big-league ready. There was a belief that he’d start the season in Triple-A, then maybe earn a first call-up by summertime or in September. There even was speculation that he’d go to Scranton and play a lot of second base because there’s been questions for years about his arm strength at shortstop.
Volpe looked like a major league shortstop this spring. He made every play and his arm played out fine, even on long throws from the hole.
“He’s prepared,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge said. “Very rarely do you see that at such a young age. Usually you’re a little immature or a little unprepared, but he seems ready to go every single game I’ve played behind him.”
While Volpe passed the eye test, he put up eye-popping numbers. Through Sunday, an off day for Volpe after three games in three days, he was hitting .314 with six doubles, a triple, three homers, five RBI, eight walks, five steals in five attempts and a 1.064 OPS in 17 games.
“Very impressive at-bats,” Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton said. “He’s running all over the basepaths. He’s a well-rounded player.”
And now Volpe is a big-leaguer. He celebrated Sunday’s news with his parents and other family members in the Yankees dugout at Steinbrenner Field.
On Sunday evening, he celebrated with his spring training roommates, four buddies that were teammates during his minor-league road to the big leagues — Austin Wells, Mickey Gasper, Max Burt and Spencer Henson. They dubbed their planned night “The Last Supper” because “it was going to be our last night and “we’re all going our separate ways.”
The Yankees leave Florida after Monday’s game in Tampa. They’ll play an exhibition against the Nationals on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., then rest up for a day before Thursday’s season opener against the Giants.
Volpe watched a lot of Yankees games over the years from the stands. This time, he’ll be out there on the playing field in pinstripes with a better number than his spring training No. 77, maybe 11 or 14. He’ll hear his name during player introductions, then head out to shortstop for his first Yankees game and be part of the Bleacher Creatures roll call.
It’ll be everything he’s dreamed of and worked for forever.
“It’s super surreal,” Volpe said. “I’ve only ever been to games at Yankee Stadium (as a fan). To get that opportunity, I’m so excited. It’s crazy. I don’t even know what lies ahead.”
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NEW YORK -- The excitement around opening day is even more intense for one New Jersey family.Anthony Volpe, a Watchung native, will be in the Yankees' starting lineup against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday....
NEW YORK -- The excitement around opening day is even more intense for one New Jersey family.
Anthony Volpe, a Watchung native, will be in the Yankees' starting lineup against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
The moment Volpe got the call-u has warmed the hearts of millions. The Yankees posted video of Volpe being told by manager Aaron Boone he had made the big league roster.
"I thought it was pretty cool. The other part of me said, man, that's pretty cruel," said Bruce Shatel, who coached Volpe at the Delbarton School. "But any way you find out you're going to be starting on opening day for the Yankees is just terrific."
At 21, Volpe is the young Yankees shortstop since Derek Jeter.
"It's New York and people are going to make that comparison but time will tell, and there is a lot of baseball ahead of Anthony to see if he can fill those shoes," Shatel said.
Raised in Watchung, which is about 30 miles west of the Bronx, Volpe grew up a Yankees fan, more specifically a Jeter fan.
"There was some sort of clinic in New York City, where a bunch of Yankees were at. I think, Tino Martinez, Jeter. When we finally got there, I was so shy and crying that I wouldn't go out on to the field. I was like balling, crying. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but I field a groundball and I just run off to go see my mom. Apparently [Jeter] grabbed me and made me high-five him," Volpe said.
In the years since that clinic, Volpe has turned into a slick fielder with pop in his bat. Now, he'll be patrolling the same dirt at Yankee Stadium as his hero.
"Anthony is not biggest guy. He's not the fastest guy. But he's a baseball player," Shatel said, "and to the Yankees' credit, you know, they believed in everything they saw out of him, and now he has an opportunity to play for the big club."
On Wednesday, Jeter, himself, congratulated Volpe, with a reminder of what they share in common.
Volpe was able to choose his number and decided on 11. After all, what does 1+1 =?
Steve Overmyer joined CBS 2 in February of 2011 as a sports anchor and reporter. He hosts Sports Update every weekend on CBS 2 and WLNY 10/55.
WATCHUNG – After a few months of stalling on naming an architect for the approved $16 million referendum project, the Board of Education has decided Des...
WATCHUNG – After a few months of stalling on naming an architect for the approved $16 million referendum project, the Board of Education has decided Design Resources Group (DRG) was the right firm for the job after all.
DRG was the design team that developed the referendum plans approved by borough voters in December.
But at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting, the school board, with several new members, put off renaming DRG as architects for the project. The Board oversees two schools in the pre-K-8 district.
Superintendent of Schools George P. Alexis had recommended DRG as the architect.
After going out for bids again on the project, the board voted 7-1 on March 14 to award the contract of DRG.
More:Watchung Hills’ federal lawsuit targets Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and others
The only exception was Board Vice President Anthony Ingrassia who opposed the referendum and reiterated that he intends to look into other aspects of the referendum plans.
The project calls for improvements to both Valley View Middle School and Bayberry Elementary School, including HVAC, renovated athletic fields and air conditioning. But Ingrassia said that he wishes to "readdress" those features
But several parents told board members at the March 14 meeting that the referendum plans were approved by voters and should be moving forward.
"When I voted for the referendum, I voted for it because of the specific projects identified by the referendum architects," said Katie Corrigan, a former teacher at Watchung Hills Regional High School. "These types of continuing comments the likes of which Mr. Ingrassia were making before the referendum passed do not instill any sense of confidence in the members of this community. How can we have any faith that you are going to follow the law and the public will when you were sitting there saying the same thing you said before the referendum votes?"
Corrigan asked for reassurance that the Board will proceed with the project as approved by voters.
"You are not permitted to pick this referendum apart piece by piece," she said.
Alexis delivered unexpected good news at the March 14 meeting when he said the sale of a bond to fund the project attracted seven bidders and yielded a rate of 3.75%, which was lower than before.
"The lower rate means that the annual average tax impact on the average home in Watchung has decreased by $14 to $309," Alexis said. "The proceeds of the sale have been received and placed in the district’s interest-bearing account."
email: [email protected]
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
WATCHUNG – The Board of Education has approved the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr as a day off for students and a professional development day for staffers in 2024."The calendar that was revised by the curriculum committee recognizes April 10 as Eid al-Fitr," said Amber Murad, board president. "What happens is that we’re going to have – the suggestion came forward to have it as a professional development day, a day which is closed for students. The original calendar had Oct. 11, a Tuesday, a...
WATCHUNG – The Board of Education has approved the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr as a day off for students and a professional development day for staffers in 2024.
"The calendar that was revised by the curriculum committee recognizes April 10 as Eid al-Fitr," said Amber Murad, board president. "What happens is that we’re going to have – the suggestion came forward to have it as a professional development day, a day which is closed for students. The original calendar had Oct. 11, a Tuesday, as a professional development day and that day is moved to April 10 in next year’s calendar."
At the Jan. 24 school board meeting, several students and parents spoke in favor of the calendar change and welcomed the decision to mark April 10, 2024, as the Eid holiday.
The decision came after nearly two years of lobbying by students and parents.
Last spring, Noora Kuran, a Watchung Hills Regional High School sophomore and co-founder of the high school's Interfaith Coalition, created a survey of student sentiment about having school off on Eid and Diwali.
According to Kuran, more than 98% of the 400 students favored having schools closed on the holidays.
"The win in Watchung and Warren is one small step for Watchung Hills and one giant leap for minorities nationwide," Kuran said. "I hope that what we’ve accomplished inspires others to do the same. It is beautiful to see our hard work for the last few years pay off."
More:What is 'the sacred month' of Ramadan all about? Fasting, Eid al-Fitr and more explained
Diwali also was mentioned as being added to future calendars, but in the 2023-24 calendar year, the holiday falls on Sunday, Nov. 12. In 2024, the holiday takes place on Friday, Nov. 1.
Also at the Jan. 24 meeting, there was a proposal to add three additional holidays − Juneteenth, Lunar Chinese New Year and Orthodox Christian Good Friday − to the calendar and extend the 2023-24 school year by a week from June 14 to June 21. The proposal did not pass but was sent back to the curriculum committee for further study.
A separate survey had asked for thoughts on having schools closed for Eid, Diwali, Juneteenth, Orthodox Christian Good Friday and Lunar Chinese New Year.
"Including Eid in the 2023-2024 calendar is a victory for educational inclusion and for Muslim students who have long advocated for this necessary accommodation," said Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) Outreach Coordinator Zaid Hussein. "We are hopeful that Watchung Region High School will follow suit and give their Muslim students the opportunity to balance their academic obligations with religious duties."
Hussain added that while designating Eid as a professional development day for staff is "a step in the right direction," CAIR-NJ hopes to see the Watchung Board of Education "move in the direction of adopting Eid as a permanent calendar holiday instead in the future."
The Watchung Borough School District serves more than 600 students in pre-K through eighth grade in two schools.
Students in higher grades attend Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, which has yet to decide on a separate Eid holiday.
Recently parents, students and local organization leaders asked that Eid be added to the East Brunswick school calendar. Board members said they would investigate the issue. Several community members said they had been asking for the holiday as a day off for students for 10 years.
There are two Eid holidays. The first − Eid al-Fitr − comes after the month-long observance of Ramadan, when observant Muslims pray and fast for 30 days. The second − Eid al-Adha − is celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th Islamic month and is associated with the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Eid festivities include congregational prayer, often early in the morning, gatherings with family and friends, as well as gifts and entertainment, particularly centered around children.
Because the occurrence of Eid depends on the sighting of the new moon, the exact date can only be determined with certainty the night before.
Almost 30 New Jersey school districts, including Monroe, South Brunswick and West Windsor-Plainsboro, already recognize Eid on their school calendars. There are more than 100 mosques in the state and at 3% − the highest percentage of Muslim residents in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center.
Typically, celebrating Eid requires that Muslims take at least one day off from school. Attendance in school does not allow the student to fully participate in their religious holiday and conversely, an absence creates stress in the form of missed academic time, schoolwork and sometimes tests to make up.
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Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
