5 Things March 1: Snowflake Social, Circle Class and More

Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. Snowflake Social
The Snowflake Social will be held 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Norton Middle School. Families of kindergartners through 5th graders are encouraged to attend and enjoy a fun night of dancing, pizza, drinks, snacks and cookies. The cost is $20 per couple and $25 for three or more guests.
 
McMahon's will be offering a buy one meal get another meal half off for anyone attending the Snowflake Social.  This promotion is from 3 to 6 p.m.

Email your Snowflake Social photos to Norton@Patch.com.

2. Circle Time Classes
Toddlers, Pre-K, and Kindergarteners are welcome to this event. Come sing, dance and make new friends. Classes are offered Thursday and Friday mornings at 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Class price is $16 and includes a full day pass to the Clubhouse for open play. Adults can relax with a cup of coffee from the snack shack while children have a great time. Open Play without a class is $10 for the first child and $5 for the second and third sibling. Fourth is free.

3. Friday Night Live at Oak Knoll
Join Oak Knoll, 1417 Park St., Attleboro, once a month on the first Friday for a surprise live animal demonstration. Each week you’ll be introduced to a new creature, insect, mammal, amphibian or reptile. Registration is required at www.massaudubon.org/oakknoll or by calling 508-223-3060.

4. Gov. Patrick addresses students about financial aid
Governor Deval Patrick addressed hundreds of college students Tuesday at Student Financial Aid Day before they fanned out across the State House seeking legislative support to increase state funding for financial aid programs.

The Administration will invest a total of $6.79 billion in education in FY14, including over $550 million in new targeted investments that will bring Chapter 70 funding to $4.39 billion, the highest in state history. These investments also include $152 million in FY14 to make college more affordable and accessible for students across the Commonwealth by:
·         Significantly increasing funding to the MASSGrant program, which provides financial assistance for students demonstrating the greatest need;
·         Expanding the Completion Incentive Grant Fund, which allows students enrolled at certain campuses to receive a maximum of $8,000 over four years for credits earned towards their degree;
·         Providing annual increases for the community college funding formula developed as part of the Governor’s community college proposal, totaling $20 million in FY14; and
·         Furthering the Commonwealth’s support for funding at least 50 percent of the educational costs at the University of Massachusetts.

5. High near 44, low around 28
Today there is a 40 percent chance of snow showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Otherwise it will be cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind will be 7 to 10 mph. Tonight there is a 20 percent chance of rain showers before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind will be 3 to 7 mph.