“Five Things You Need to Know Today” is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

1. Rain likely: Today will bring a mix of rain and cloudy skies, with a 70 percent chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service. It will be windy as well, with gusts as high as 32 miles per hour. The high temperature will be around 56 degrees and the low around 50. Rain will continue into the evening, mainly before midnight.

2. Graduation day: The Needham High School Class of 2012 will receive their diplomas at a graduation ceremony this evening, tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m. on Memorial Field. With rain in the forecast, it's possible the ceremony will be moved indoors—a decision should be made by 8 a.m. this morning (check Needham Patch for information as it becomes available). If indoors, graduation will be held at Staake Gymnasium at Babson College in Wellesley at 6 p.m. Graduating seniors should report to the NHS B Gym at 4:15 p.m. (if the ceremony is indoors, students should meet at Babson College at 5:15 p.m.).

3. Drop-in crafts: Children ages 2 and up can drop by the Needham Free Public Library from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for free crafts. Sign-up is not required.

4.CAP volunteers needed: The Needham Community Council is looking for volunteers for the Needham Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program to run assault prevention workshops in local elementary schools. The program offers a flexible schedule to volunteers who enjoy teamwork and can make a yearlong commitment of two or three mornings a month. The five-session training begins on Wednesday, Oct. 17. For information or to meet with the CAP director, call the Needham Community Council at 781-444-2415 or e-mail CAP@needhamcommunitycouncil.org.

5. Parking lot work begins: Starting today, the parking lot at DeFazio Park will be closed for renovations from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, through June 15. The lot will be in usable shape for afternoon and evening uses, after 3 p.m. The town is grading the lot and compacting a layer of special crushed stones in the majority of the lot. The track will be available for use during these times, but no parking will be available on site, on side streets or at Pollard. Limited parking is available at the Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Ave.