5 Things You Need to Know Today: October 3

1. It's International Walk to School Day and several Belmont schools are participating in the annual event. Most organized walks will take place between 8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. But even if you don't have a route, today would be a great day to begin a routine of walking to school to begin the day.

2. Belmont Patch will join the other Patch sites in the Bay State by hosting a LiveChat during tonight's Presidential Debate between President Obama and Belmont's Mitt Romney.

3. Three levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes - beginners, intermediate, and advanced - starts tomorrow and will continue on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Beech Street Center. Cost is $50 first term, $35 second term.
This joins two other, free classes: Chinese English classes every Tuesday at 10
a.m., and a conversation class on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. sponsored by English at Large (call 781-395-2374 to see if you are at an intermediate level, or just come in to speak with the teacher.)

4. For all those walkers and toddlers under 24 months out there, the Belmont Public Library is holding Storytime for 1's from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Flett Room (across from the Children's Room) of the Belmont Public Library.  Share simple stories, songs, finger plays, nursery rhymes and puppets.

5. It's Wednesday and so is the scheduled early release day for the entire Belmont School District. Below are the times for the schools.

• Burbank, Butler and Wellington: 1:40 p.m.

1/2 Day Kindergarten: 11:55 a.m.

• Winn Brook: 1:50 p.m.

1/2 Day Kindergarten: 12:05 p.m.

• Chenery Middle School: 1:15 p.m.

• Belmont High School: 1:25 a.m.