5 Things You Need To Know Today in Framingham: March 12

1. Dunning Elementary School Principal Kim Taylor will become the new principal at King Elementary School in Framingham.

Today, there are two meetings for parents to talk about hiring a new principal at Dunning Elementary. The meetings are at 9:05 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

2. The Middle East at the Crossroads is the free lifelong learning lecture tonight at the main Framingham Library.

Dr. Amal Hamada, an assistant professor of political science at Cairo University & American University in Cairo, Egypt will shed light on the aspects of despair and the sources of optimism facing the Middle East that are often ignored. Hamada is a Fulbright Scholar in residence at Framingham State University.

The lecture series is a collaboration between Framingham State University and Framingham Public Library, funded in part by the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

3. Plan Ahead: Dulce de Leche, a band made up of Framingham High students, will headline the after hours teen coffeehouse at the main Framingham Library. The coffeehouse is 6 to 8:30 p.m.

4. Plan ahead: Tomorrow night, March 13 there is a benefit performance of Carre Vieux by the Framingham High School Drama Company. Show starts at 7. Tickets are $10 and are still available. Order tickets by clicking here.

The Framingham High Drama Company qualified for the semifinals of the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s Drama Festival, and will compete Saturday, March 14 at Framingham High.

5. Last night, the Framingham Public Schools hosted a reception at the main Framingham Library for 200-plus student artists and their families.

Framingham Patch will have a slideshow of photos from the event and more photos of the artists’ works later today.

Pictured is a piece by Framingham High student Lara Williams