Charlene is a Librarian who assists Park’s divisional librarians; she also serves as Park School’s Archivist.
After graduating with her master’s of library science, Charlene worked in the library at The Baltimore Sun for several years, expanding her historical understanding of her hometown. Working at Park has further enriched that understanding.
Charlene earned a B.A. in English from James Madison University’s Honors Program and her M.L.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Gifts to the Promise of Park can now support upgrades to the softball and baseball fields atĀ SugarĀ Campus, the revitalization of theĀ Challenge Course, and the creation of an endowed fund providing support forĀ studentĀ travel.
Sugar Campus
Softball and baseball upgrades atĀ SugarĀ CampusĀ include improvements to the playing surfaces of both fields, along with bleacher improvements for the fans of each of team. Additions include new batting cages that will benefit both teams,Ā a new baseball bullpen setup and backstop, and other enhancements. The baseball field scoreboard andĀ dugouts are now sporting Park colors —Ā with more to come ’neath the Brown and White!
Challenge
Park’sĀ Challenge CourseĀ — a longtime signature program of our Middle and Upper Schools — is being renovated to expand accessibilityĀ school-wide for our Pre-K through Grade 12Ā students. Further, we are introducing new, innovative elements — including a three-pole climbing tower — and creating an additional community gathering area. The newly-renovated course will be managed by a course-certified teacher, and the program will renew the essential role ofĀ studentĀ leaders as a part of the Challenge experience at Park!
Student Travel
StudentĀ travelĀ provides opportunities to engage with people beyond ourĀ campus, beyond our region, and beyond our country. The Park Jazz Collective’s experience in New Orleans; our immersive language trips — French, Spanish, and Chinese; the Civil Rights Trip; Model UN conferences; and co-curricular journeys yet-to-be-imagined all represent unforgettable possibilities for ParkĀ students.
Promise of Park Lower School Initiatives
The Promise of Park has already impacted the lives of our students and teachers, and, this spring, we are thrilled to share another giving initiativeĀ — this time in support of Park’s youngest students.
Gifts to the Promise of Park can now support a full renovation of the Lower School Pearlstone Wing — including the creation of a Lower SchoolĀ MultipurposeĀ Room.Ā We are combining three existing rooms adjacent to the fourth grade classrooms to create a new, large, flexible gathering space that will be able to accommodate multiple grade levels for events, assemblies, and more. This space is designed to optimize flexibility so that it can host various types of school and community events.
We are delighted to share that this new space will be dedicated in memory of Linda Halpert, a beloved Lower School faculty member.
Further, the hallway, as well as all of the fourth grade classrooms, will be fully reimagined and modernized; and all systems (HVAC, lighting, tech, etc.) in the Pearlstone Wing will be replaced.
Please see the renderings of the new spaces below.
Lower School Multipurpose Room:
Pearlstone Building Corridor:
Pre-K through Grade 12 Appalachian Challenge
Park will redesign and rebuild the first-of-its-kind Appalachian Challenge Course as an anchor to an expanded Pre-K through Grade 12 outdoor education program. We will welcome students of all ages – as well as potential partner organizations in and around Baltimore — to experience the benefits of outdoor education in Park’s unique environment.