Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation.

1. As I look out the window while writing this, there is not much snow; so there will likely be school today. Framingham High students begin mid-term exams today. Good luck! And commuters may need luck too, this morning. With snow and coming off a long holiday weekend, expect some traffic delays this morning.

2. Today is the final day to submit nomination papers with the required number of signatures to the Framingham Town Clerk's office for candidates wishing to run for town-wide office, including Selectmen, School Committee, Planning Board, Moderator etc.

Framingham School Committee member Michael Bower plans to submit 175 signatures today to run for Selectmen he told Framingham Patch Monday night. He pulled papers late Friday afternoon.

It is Framingham Patch's policy to not write about a candidate unless he makes an official announcement or submits his nomination papers. For Framingham Patch's complete election policy, click here.

Incumbent selectmen Ginger Esty and Charlie Sistisky have already turned in nomination papers to run for re-election. There are two 3-year seats available on the Framingham Board of Selectmen.

The town election is Tuesday, April 9. For a complete election calendar, click here.

3. At 10 a.m. there are computer classes at the Callahan Senior Center.

4. Framingham Public Schools will hold an MCAS Information Night Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 in the Framingham High library at 7. Topics to be addressed by presented by Sarah Guernsey, the school system's student data coordinator: What is the current structure of the MCAS? How do I interpret my child’s MCAS score report? How can I use this information to better help my child? How can I help my student be ready for this year’s MCAS?

5. Framingham School Committee is scheduled to meet tonight at 7:30 in the King Building. The Framingham Selectmen are not scheduled to meet tonight.