It can be hard to hear for some, but getting older is just part of life. For many men, hitting a certain age signifies the beginning of a new chapter - where bucket list items are crossed off, and goals are accomplished. For others, however, aging is a scary prospect, filled with nagging injuries, embarrassing weight gain, and inability to perform intimately. Few things feel worse than realizing that you simply can't perform as you used to, whether on the basketball court or in the bedroom.
The reality is, as men get older and approach middle age, their testosterone levels drop. When a male's testosterone levels get lower, it can cause a slew of unwanted symptoms like:
If you have noticed any of the above symptoms and feel like you're just dragging yourself through life, don't lose hope. Many men around the country are experiencing the same feelings as you. Thankfully, you don't have to settle for the side effects of low testosterone. There are proven, easy steps that you can take to reverse the negative signs of aging. If you're ready to reclaim your youth and feel like you did in your 20s and 30s, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be the perfect solution.
TRT bridges the gap between your old life and the happier, more vibrant version of you. That's where Juventee comes in - to facilitate your transition to a more youthful, fulfilling life and a brighter future. After all, aren't YOU supposed to be in charge of your wellness and health? With the Juventee team by your side, you'll have the tools to do so - backed by a personalized plan crafted by experts with more than 20 years of experience.
At Juventee, we propose a preventive and proactive medical approach to preserve optimal body function, with the best hormonal functioning to prolong vitality and youthfulness. Our specialty is Age Management, which is based on the belief that balance is the key to wellness. We employ the most innovative science, offering treatments like TRT in Bayonne, NJ, and other clinical products with proven efficacy.
Living a younger, healthier, and longer life is a frequent commitment for Juventee's team of specialists. We are experts at designing customized programs that work synergistically with your body and brain. We love incorporating smart nutrition, hormonal balance, exercise, stress management, cognitive health, and lifestyle changes into our treatment programs. We also implement sciences such as testosterone replacement therapy to achieve verifiable, legitimate results.
Our doctors take differing approaches to care but share the single goal of prolonging your youth and vitality. With that goal in mind, Juventee was born from the hands of its partners, who want you to feel full strength, energy, joy, confidence, and wellbeing.
testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
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What pops up in your head when you think about testosterone? Many people associate testosterone with being overly aggressive, macho, and violent. However, the truth is that testosterone is a critical hormone for men and affects the male lifespan from puberty through old age. As a sex hormone, male testosterone is produced through the testicles. It becomes most prevalent during puberty.
Testosterone production is controlled by the pituitary gland at the base of a man's brain. This gland sends signals to the testes, which in turn produce testosterone. A feedback loop helps regulate the amount of testosterone in the blood. When levels are too high, the brain orders the pituitary gland to restrict production.
Cholesterol synthesizes the testosterone in your body. However, having high cholesterol doesn't mean you have high testosterone levels, too. T levels are too carefully controlled by your pituitary gland for cholesterol to raise testosterone levels.
During puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
Testosterone replacement is exactly what its name implies. It's a therapy for men that replaces diminished testosterone levels, which helps balance your hormones and ultimately improves your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates many of the side effects that men suffer from as a result of low testosterone.
Testosterone was originally synthesized in a lab in 1935. Its popularity has grown since, and today, it is among the most promising doctor-prescribed treatments for men in the United States.
So, how does testosterone replacement therapy work? TRT essentially gives you the testosterone needed to be healthy and have a properly functioning body. As the primary androgen for males, testosterone has a role in the natural processes your body needs for overall health. This extra hormonal intake positively affects patients and their general health, preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiac diseases, and more.
Though there is an abundance of testosterone in your system throughout puberty and into your 20s, it gradually depletes with age. Sometimes, serious injuries and long-term conditions like diabetes affect testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
Though some symptoms of low T are abundantly evident, not all men can immediately tell they may need TRT. If you're unsure, ask yourself these questions:
If you answered yes to any of those questions, it could be time to contact Juventee about a personalized TRT plan. Still unsure if you're experiencing symptoms of low T? We have compiled a more extensive list of signs below:
Low energy used to be considered a normal part of aging. Today, most doctors know better. Modern advances in medicine show that lack of energy and low T often go hand-in-hand.
If it's a huge struggle to keep up with your kids on the soccer field, or you just don't have the energy to be active, you may have low testosterone. Getting tired is normal, but if it's an ongoing problem affecting you and your family, it's time to consult a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish normal activities, TRT in Bayonne, NJ could be the solution.
You would think that lowered libido would be easy to pick up on, but when it happens gradually, it can be more difficult to diagnose. With that said, many men use TRT because they've lost that "spark" in the bedroom. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not pleasing their partner because intimacy is an important part of a relationship.
The good news? Having a low libido doesn't have to be permanent. TRT treatments can help revert hormone levels to their normal range, making for a more enjoyable sex life.
If you're like millions of other men, hair loss is an unfortunate reality you don't want to think about. Closely related to hormone imbalances and testosterone decline, hair loss is about as distressing as it gets. This common symptom is often related to DHT - a derivative of testosterone that can cause hair follicles to die.
Thankfully, a carefully monitored TRT regimen can help restore hair, especially when combined with methods like plasma-rich therapy. While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone in your body, so hair loss isn't your only reality.
Weak erections - it's an uncomfortable subject for men to talk about. It's even worse to experience the symptom in the heat of the moment. Despite being very common, men shame themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while there are many reasons for this malady, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with weak erections forever when you balance your hormones with a personalized TRT treatment plan from Juventee.
You're feeling down about everything and can't figure out why you feel crummy about life. You're successful at work but feel unaccomplished. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed - and it could be stemming from low testosterone.
Studies show that men with depression and high cortisol levels also commonly have low testosterone. Because higher cortisol levels can lead to low T, 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, when used in conjunction with therapy, is TRT. When TRT is used to replenish hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more optimistic mood. That's great news for depressed men who have had little-to-no success with powerful anti-depression meds.
Experts have found that men who lose a week's worth of sleep may experience a drop in testosterone by as much as 15%. These findings are alarming and may suggest that sleep loss lowers T levels and affects wellbeing.
If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, it could be time to have your testosterone levels checked. TRT may restore your testosterone levels which can help you sleep better with proper exercise and diet.
Are you struggling to lift weights in the gym or find that you can't pick up items that used to be easy to lift? Studies show that inactive men can lose .5% of muscle strength each year after the age of 25. When you hit 60, muscle loss doubles every ten years. While muscle loss is common with age, it can also be linked to low T.
Testosterone is a crucial piece needed for building and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors are prescribing TRT for males experiencing sharp declines in strength and muscle mass. Whether your workouts are losing steam or you're having problems lifting items that aren't very heavy, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
Nobody likes to gain weight, even though our society is more accepting of overweight people than ever before. Despite diets and carb cutting, many men aren't able to get rid of excess belly and body fat, increasing the chances of heart disease and cancer.
Sometimes, male weight gain isn't caused by sweets and carbs but by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism. This phase of life is called andropause and occurs when testosterone levels are low. Combining a low metabolism with other symptoms like high cortisol levels can be a recipe for a double-chinned disaster. Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The enlargement of male breast tissue, also called "man boobs," is a fairly common condition that many men have. Though it is closely associated with diet and other life choices, increased fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances.
If you're approaching middle age 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.
The human body is amazing in so many ways. Still, we have to optimize it every now and then using science, medicine, and hard work. After 40, you may notice that your body is changing, but symptoms like low libido and lack of motivation don't have to be permanent. Juventee has the team, tools, and experience to help recapture your youth and feel better than ever before.
If you're getting older and you're worried about low testosterone, give our office a call today. It would be our pleasure to care for you using the highest quality products, backed by research and applied by professionals with your best interests in mind.
Whether you need a boost to help you get through your busy work week or a natural solution to an embarrassing problem like ED, we're here for you. Our doctors will explain your treatment options in-depth and take as much time as you need to feel comfortable and confident about TRT. Remember, when you treat your body with love and care, it will reciprocate generously. Let our team teach you the techniques to prolong your sense of youth and provide you with the treatment to solidify your wellbeing as you age with grace. Contact Juventee today. By tomorrow, you'll be one step closer to meeting the best version of yourself.
The Bayonne branch of the NAACP has rescheduled its second annual Juneteenth festival from tomorrow to next Saturday, June 24.The celebration is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. with a kick-off parade that starts at Avenue A and DiDomenico 16th Street Park. The festival itself is set to take place from noon to 5 p.m. and is to include music, spoken word and poetry, student performances, vendors, food and game trucks, face painting, and arts and crafts.Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army o...
The Bayonne branch of the NAACP has rescheduled its second annual Juneteenth festival from tomorrow to next Saturday, June 24.
The celebration is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. with a kick-off parade that starts at Avenue A and DiDomenico 16th Street Park. The festival itself is set to take place from noon to 5 p.m. and is to include music, spoken word and poetry, student performances, vendors, food and game trucks, face painting, and arts and crafts.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army ordered in Galveston, Texas, that enslaved people in the state must be freed. They were the last to learn of their freedom because Texas was a remote state at the time. The Civil War had already ended, and President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had been in effect for more than two years.
There’s some confusion about when the holiday is celebrated.
In New Jersey, state legislators decided to consistently commemorate the holiday on the third Friday in June, so state offices are closed today.
The federal government commemorates the holiday on June 19 itself unless that date falls on the weekend. When June 19 falls Saturday, the national holiday will be the Friday before; when it falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be the Monday after.
This year, the date lands on Monday so federal offices and the post office will be closed then.
The Jersey Journal follows the federal schedule. There will be no paper on Monday, and our offices will be closed. Subscribers will receive Monday’s Star-Ledger.
In addition to the Bayonne NAACP festival next weekend, several celebrations are planned in Hudson:
* Jersey City’s African Cultural Arts Juneteenth Family Festival returns on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 7 p.m., at Berry Lane Park, Garfield Avenue at Union Street.
A main stage will feature performances emceed by Rob Crocker, host of WBGO-88.3 jazz radio. Headlining at 5 p.m. will be the Blackbyrds, who are preparing their 50th anniversary tour this summer.
Children’s Stage performances will include martial arts, rap, poetry and the Jump 4 Jerry Double Dutch Team.
Face painting and art and crafts are among the other highlights.
* On Monday, June 19, the Jersey City Economic Development Corp. presents a Juneteenth festival at Liberty State Park from noon to 8 p.m. Entitled “All About Us,” it will include more than 40 Black-owned food and artisan vendors, DJs, face painting, a gaming area, photo booths for kids, as well as live art activations from artists at Mana Contemporary.
There will also be a special performance celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop music featuring artists Slick Rick the Ruler, Sango, DJ Clue, DJ First Choice, DJ Wallah, DJ Buka, DJ Midnite, Winard Harper, Felicia Temple, Avante, and RXparations.
Tickets are $25 general admission; $18.66 for children and seniors; $20 for admission after 4 p.m. Children under 2 are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at allaboutusfestival.com. The Green Ring at Liberty State Park is located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City.
* Hudson County Community College’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and its African American Outreach Committee will host a “Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Through the Arts” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the HCCC Gabert Library, 71 Sip Ave., Jersey City.
Pamela Gardner, a lifelong educator and a member of the HCCC Board of Trustees, will serve as program host. Song, dance and gospel performances will be featured, and refreshments will be served. For information, email [email protected].
BAYONNE, NJ - The City of Bayonne will host their annual Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 5, at the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park, Mayor Jimmy Davis announced.Set to begin at 6:30 p.m., the event will feature attractions for both children and adults, including free children's inflatable rides until 8:30 p.m.; music by Parkway Soul, an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute band, beginning at 7:00 p.m.; and fireworks scheduled to go off at approximately 9:15 p.m. The fireworks show will run for about ...
BAYONNE, NJ - The City of Bayonne will host their annual Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 5, at the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park, Mayor Jimmy Davis announced.
Set to begin at 6:30 p.m., the event will feature attractions for both children and adults, including free children's inflatable rides until 8:30 p.m.; music by Parkway Soul, an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute band, beginning at 7:00 p.m.; and fireworks scheduled to go off at approximately 9:15 p.m. The fireworks show will run for about 30 minutes.
Food vendors will be located in the parking lot.
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A buffer zone will be created in the park and the bay for residents' safety. Only authorized people will be allowed inside the buffer zone. No pleasure craft in Newark Bay will be permitted within a perimeter of at least 500 feet from the launch site, as per the U.S. Coast Guard. The Fire Department will have a boat in the bay during the show.
The Bayonne Recreation Division is providing free shuttle bus service for the event and will pick up passengers at East 24th Street and Church Lane. This location is near two parking lots: Parking Lot 6 (behind Archie's Cab) and Parking Lot 7 (behind Valley Bank).
Shuttle bus service will begin at 6:00 p.m., and will drop off passengers at the lower level parking lot alongside the tennis courts until 8:30 p.m. Following the fireworks, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the buses will pick up passengers at the same area for the return trip to East 24th Street and Church Lane.
Shuttles will continue to run until all passengers have been returned to East 24th Street and Church Lane, by approximately 11:00 p.m.
To provide space for the shuttle, parking will not be allowed in a designated bus area between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Signs will be posted in the designated no parking area.
The boat ramp on the lower level of the park will be closed to boats for the entire day and the boat ramp parking lot will be available for public parking.
The main parking area on the lower level of the park will be closed to the general public after 7:00 a.m. No parking will be allowed by the firing range on the upper level of the park.
On West 16th Street, between Avenue A and the park, no parking will be allowed on either side of the street after 6:00 p.m. Signs will be posted. The signs will be removed around 10:00 p.m. as the event ends. Police will create a single lane for traffic on that portion of West 16th Street for crowd control purposes.
The DiDomenico Municipal Pool on the upper level of the park will follow regular operating hours on July 5, opening at 10:30 a.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m., weather permitting.
The basketball courts on the lower level of the park will close at 2:00 p.m.
The park's regular bathrooms will be closed for the event. Portable toilets will be available. Both regular and handicap facilities will be provided.
In case of inclement weather the fireworks, concert, and entertainment would be rescheduled for Sunday, July 9.
One of the largest industrial companies in Bayonne is reconfiguring its commercial footprint, freeing up 130 acres of waterfront space for a new use for the first time in decades.IMTT, a bulk liquid storage company, will be moving its current operations off the eastern portion of its 450-acre property south of the Bayonne Golf Club, and consolidating its work to the western side, closer to Route 440.The company plans to find a new use for the land and anticipates the transition creating a net increase in jobs, though it has not...
One of the largest industrial companies in Bayonne is reconfiguring its commercial footprint, freeing up 130 acres of waterfront space for a new use for the first time in decades.
IMTT, a bulk liquid storage company, will be moving its current operations off the eastern portion of its 450-acre property south of the Bayonne Golf Club, and consolidating its work to the western side, closer to Route 440.
The company plans to find a new use for the land and anticipates the transition creating a net increase in jobs, though it has not yet decided whether it will sell that portion of the property, said CEO Carlin Conner.
“We want to do all we can to advance Bayonne’s interest and create a better town,” Conner said. “I feel although this is a big decision, I feel like it’s the right decision.”
In the meantime, Conner anticipates the IMTT workforce will be trimmed by 10% to 15%. The company will not fully shift its operations off the land for 18 months, he said, at which point he hopes early retirements and voluntarily accepted severance packages will be the primary means of downsizing.
IMTT, short for International-Matex Tank Terminals, stores petroleum products, commodity and specialty chemicals, vegetable and tropical oils, oleochemicals, biofuels and ethanol, according to its website.
Changes in the petroleum market prompted the decision to consolidate IMTT’s current work in Bayonne, Conner said. Transitions to alternative and renewable energy are forcing many companies in the oil and gas industry to update their business models.
“We’re not in a position that we have to sell (the land),” Conner said. “We can hold the property, we can contribute it to a joint venture, we can develop it ourselves or we can do a sale if that makes the most sense.”
Mayor Jimmy Davis noted that the transition will also likely include an environmental cleanup of the property.
“We are open to hearing a variety of ideas for that site,” Davis said. “Our main goal is producing new jobs there for our residents. Providing greater economic opportunity is vitally important for Bayonne’s future.”
IMTT is headquartered in New Orleans and owns and operates 16 terminals in the United States and Canada. It purchased its Bayonne terminal, a former Standard Oil facility, in 1983, said a company spokeswoman.
IMTT said even after the transition it will remain the largest bulk liquids storage terminal in the area of New York Harbor.
Bayonne’s redevelopment renaissance of the past decade went hand in hand with financial incentives doled out to developers.A city administration eager for new apartment buildings and businesses to revive its local economy negotiated generously with developers willing to take a chance on a city at a standstill, most often handing out payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements, or PILOTs, that essentially provided tax breaks to developers.Now nearly 10 years later, even as developers’ interest in Bayonne keeps the planning b...
Bayonne’s redevelopment renaissance of the past decade went hand in hand with financial incentives doled out to developers.
A city administration eager for new apartment buildings and businesses to revive its local economy negotiated generously with developers willing to take a chance on a city at a standstill, most often handing out payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements, or PILOTs, that essentially provided tax breaks to developers.
Now nearly 10 years later, even as developers’ interest in Bayonne keeps the planning board busy year-round, councilmembers and Mayor Jimmy Davis’ administration aren’t ready to do away with those tax abatements, though they are perhaps ready to apply a bit more scrutiny.
In practice, that could mean that not every developer who wants a PILOT gets one, or that the longevity of tax abatement agreements is significantly shorter, councilmembers said. One newcomer to the council also said that Bayonne should increasingly use developer interest as a bargaining chip to reel in developer contributions to the community, or givebacks, in some fashion.
But after a nearly yearlong pause on PILOT agreement votes for major residential projects, which Davis initiated, taxpayers can expect them to return in some form.
“Given the building boom that we have experienced over the past eight years, there is no doubt that Bayonne can be a bit more discerning about development projects,” the mayor said. “We need to keep our eyes open to opportunities for growth, jobs and improved living spaces for our residents.
“The delicate balance between attracting investors and ensuring that our taxpayers are protected is something we must all keep in mind as Bayonne’s needs change.”
The PILOT program calls for 95% of the payments to go the municipality and 5% to the county, leaving the local school district with nothing. Under normal property taxation, a portion, usually in the 35-50% range, goes to the school district.
All councilmembers interviewed — newcomer Jacqueline Weimmer, Council President Gary La Pelusa and Councilman Loyad Booker — said that each development and affiliated tax abatements should now be scrutinized individually rather than the city taking a universal approach of approving or rejecting all of them.
Councilmembers Juan Perez and Neil Carroll III did not respond to interview requests.
La Pelusa and Carroll have leveled frequent scrutiny at PILOTs throughout their time on the council. La Pelusa estimated that he’s voted down more than 50 — though most of those votes were in the minority and unable to block council approval.
But even he does not think there should be a citywide shift away from incentives entirely.
La Pelusa said they could be good for projects that cultivate areas of Bayonne’s economy that he feels are still lacking, such as facilities that create scores of jobs or needed services like an assisted living facility.
New projects that resemble the bulk of those that cropped up in the past decade are likely less in need of tax abatements, and the council may look at shorter duration PILOT agreements if it does hand them out, the council president said.
“When the Davis administration took over in 2014, there really wasn’t much building going on at all, and the feeling was a lot different in town,” La Pelusa said. “The feeling from a lot of the developers was it wasn’t easy to deal with Bayonne. Now, no one can really say that.”
The city is currently wrapping up a study intended to review the development under the Davis administration and chart a path forward. It found a 92.6% occupancy rate in the 20 new buildings analyzed, La Pelusa previously said.
Despite Davis’ satisfaction with how far Bayonne has come, he knows that development is competitive and that neighboring municipalities are continuing to offer incentives. Tweaks to Bayonne’s process, therefore, might involve crafting more individualized deals for developers rather than attempting to do away with them, the mayor said.
“Within Bayonne, developer incentives might differ based on whether the development is commercial, residential, industrial, or mixed-use,” Davis said. “The incentives might also differ based upon the site of the proposed development or its size.”
The only PILOT agreement on the city council’s agenda for this month is for a new 70,000-square-foot industrial building at 7 Hook Rd.
The council will likely consider tax abatement agreements for the next phases of the Silk Lofts and Woodmont developments in coming months as well. Woodmont phase two plans include 85 new apartment units between West 52nd and West 53rd streets to supplement the existing Liberty Bay Club property.
Weimmer, who joined the city council last summer, said she was initially skeptical of whether PILOT agreements were still needed, but after conversations with colleagues has come to believe that developers often need them to make projects financially viable.
Still, she thinks that developers can probably offer the city more in return in the way of community givebacks and is exploring ways for to facilitate that.
“I’m looking for assistance to infrastructure costs, I’m looking for the betterment of the community,” Weimmer said.
She said she is skeptical of PILOT agreements that last up to 25 or 30 years.
Booker, also in his first year on the council, said he is also still learning, but he believes that considering incentives individually is probably the best approach for the city.
“There’s no broad brush for incentives,” he said. “That’s my take on it.”
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Bayonne High School students are getting two treats at the end of this week: a pep rally and a half day.If they want more in the future, they’re going to have to behave.The perks, as Superintendent John Niesz calls them, are one component in the launch of a new anti-bullying program that administrators and an array of student leaders are introducing at the high school to incentivize students to behave. The concept is that if students are kind to each other and there is less bullying and fighting on school property, the ad...
Bayonne High School students are getting two treats at the end of this week: a pep rally and a half day.
If they want more in the future, they’re going to have to behave.
The perks, as Superintendent John Niesz calls them, are one component in the launch of a new anti-bullying program that administrators and an array of student leaders are introducing at the high school to incentivize students to behave. The concept is that if students are kind to each other and there is less bullying and fighting on school property, the administration will dole out a series of rewards.
As school districts nationwide grapple with bullying in the wake of social media cyberbullying, the pandemic and a youth and adolescent mental health crisis, Bayonne wants students to be leaders in determining how to address it and wants to enact both preventative measures and disciplinary reforms.
Incentives like “no-homework Fridays,” an ice cream truck and half days are just the start of what Niesz describes as a blossoming collaborative response by students and staff.
Students have also pitched ideas including peer-to-peer interventions that could be a reform to the current disciplinary processes, space for students to relax alone if they are dealing with stress or anger, and a rage room to yell and scream out frustrations.
“All of us have to try something different besides just suspension, suspension, suspension and doing the same things over again and trying to expect a different result,” Niesz said.
Several Bayonne High School students said they have noticed an increase in bullying in recent years, much of which may begin in digital spaces, but lead to direct confrontations, often physical, on school property.
It has happened simultaneously as the high school has become a more vibrant space where students are embracing their own unique identities and choosing to express them, they said.
“I feel like now that people are being open with themselves and they’re not really keeping it to themselves, I feel like people don’t know what to do with that and it just causes them to act aggressively,” said senior Menna Hafiz.
Central Regional High School in the Bayville school district gained national attention last month when a student suicide brought public attention to what students described as a school environment where bullying had reached crisis levels and the district did little to mitigate it.
Niesz’s plan preceded that incident; he gathered student leaders from Bayonne High School to meet with him for the first time about two months ago.
Together, over lunch, they discussed what they were seeing in school in a series of sessions, where Niesz said he first worked to build their trust by asking them what staff could do for them. He then began inviting guests from the community, including a reverend, police sergeant and the local NAACP president.
The dialogues included brainstorming ways to address and prevent bullying, and Niesz invited administrators and the press to a final lunch Monday before the district announces the plan to the broader student body Tuesday. The high school will hold four assemblies Tuesday to tell all students about the program, and the students who helped develop it will all sit on stage.
Determinations of whether to dole out incentives will be made with both “formal and informal assessments,” Niesz said, and there is no expectation that there must be not bullying at all in order to earn them, at least at first. That will include monitoring of the digital records of student suspensions and fights, he said.
If they prove ineffective, the superintendent said he will simply call that idea a bust and move on to other strategies. But they key, in his mind, is including student in the problem-solving process.
And by bringing in student leaders to help create the roadmap, they will hopefully also lend encouragement to each other, or intervene when they see bullying so that the broader student body can enjoy the rewards, said Board of Education President Jodi Casais.
“I feel that maturity levels have gone down and that’s why we’re here to make things better — maturity-wise and just energy,” said sophomore Caitlin Gaetani. “If you have good energy in the school and sports and everything, everybody else is going to be more positive.”
Niesz plans to bring the high school leaders to elementary classrooms as ambassadors to discuss bullying prevention.
“Let’s not have a crisis,” Niesz said. “Let’s not ever be there.”
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