5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 17

Today is Thursday, March 17. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Gold at the end of a rainbow: According to the National Weather Service, today will be sunny, with a high near 57. It’s a much welcomed change from Wednesday’s downpours.
2. On the agenda: The North Reading Water Commission meets tonight at 7 in Room 10 at . A discussion of water rates and delinquent accounts are among the items planned.
3. MCAS testing next week: MCAS testing begins next week at , with Grade 7 composition on March 22, Grade 7 reading comprehension on March 22 and March 23, Grade 6 reading comprehension on March 28, 29 and 30. Make-up dates will be available. Check with the school for more details.
4. We’re looking for North Reading’s Whiz Kids: Does your child have a great story to tell? Has he or she done something amazing in the community or at school? Send us your child’s story today, and we may feature him or her in our weekly column, which runs each Monday at 10 a.m. E-mail your nomination to editor Matt Bashalany at matthew.bashalany@patch.com.
5. Celebrating St. Patrick: On this day in 461, St. Patrick died in Saul, Ireland, where he built his first church. The patron saint of that country, the legendary man was ordained a bishop and went to Ireland to spread the gospel for nearly 40 years before his death. The holiday is a religious one in Ireland, but is best known across the world as a day to celebrate the luck of the Irish and wear green clothing.

To find more things to do today, check out our event listings.