In the Fall of 2010, Westcreek Neighborhood Association and Patton PTA volunteers worked together to build a butterfly garden at Patton Elementary.  To find out more about the project, click  here to view the report.

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As part of the Wildlife Austin Neighborhood Challenge, Westcreek Neighborhood Association is partnering with Patton PTA to build a butterfly garden at Patton. It will be located on the backside of the school, facing the swing set. The existing “Memory Garden” will also be cleaned out and replanted.

Our first work day is scheduled for Monday October 18th (a student holiday). We are looking for neighborhood volunteers from 1-4 pm to help with constructing the new butterfly garden beds and cleaning out the Memory Garden. Please bring gloves and a shovel if you have them.

In addition to the physical work, we are asking for plant donations. If you would like to donate a plant for the butterfly and memory gardens, please select from the following list and bring it to Patton anytime on Monday before 4 pm (or call/email me to make other arrangements) – again, we will be on the playground side of the school.

Plants needed:

native milkweed

salvia greggi

turk’s cap

heartleaf skullcap

gulf coast or rock penstemon

yellow columbine

diamianita

verbena

pigeonberry

inland sea oats

fennel, dill, rue

Updated 10/14/10 from Trudy Hassan:

A few people have contacted me about the plant list, so I thought I’d better explain it a little better.  There is going to be a sunny butterfly area (new) and we are also going to freshen up the Memory Garden which has a lot of shade.  The plants that I listed (see below) are ones that I could use multiples of (i.e., several people could donate the same type of plant).   I have many other native plants in my plans for the gardens, especially for the butterfly area.  If you would like to donate a native plant that is not on the list, then email or call me!

Also, for those who may be worried about the “cleaning out” of the Memory Garden, rest assured that there are many wonderful native plants in there that will stay in place!  It’s just gotten overgrown and a little weedy.  We will freshen it up and add some new plants to it.

• Phone Number: (512) 789-1364

We currently have part-time paid positions available for the next school year as noted below:

School Crossing Guards Needed for Baldwin, Clayton, Mills, Patton, Kocurek, and Casey Elementary Schools

The City of Austin is looking for applicants to fill crossing guard positions.  We require people who are physically and mentally suited to work with children but also maintain a good relationship with the parents and motorists.  These positions require that a person must be able to stand for at least 1 hour and be able to repeatedly cross the street with pedestrians during that time without becoming too fatigued.  These persons must be dependable and will be expected to maintain a good attendance record.  The applicants must be at least 16 years of age and there is no upper age limit as long as the applicants are physically and mentally able to keep our children safe.  This is not a hard job but very important for the safety of our children crossing at these locations. These are City of Austin paid positions. The hourly rate is currently $8.50. The hours are 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.  Monday through Friday and follow the same holiday schedule that AISD does.  A Criminal Background Check will be conducted. No experience is required. Training will be provided.

Anyone interested should contact:

Herschell Esquell
Southwest Area Supervisor
City of Austin
Child Safety Program

(512) 589-4006
hesquell@austin.rr.com