Welcome to 5 Things You Need to Know Today, your place for useful facts. We'll provide this early morning digest each weekday to keep Salemites and Salem Patch users in-the-know.

1. We had a great time getting to know Pauline and Rafael Bautista, our finalists in the Deck the House contest. Take a look at their house, inside and out here, and don't forget to vote each day to support their efforts to help Salem Public Schools.
2. We've spotted a few Christmas trees on the side of the road, and we're getting excited for the bonfire on Dead Horse Beach Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to put your tree on the curb now or bring it to the beach.
3. It definitely got chilly last night. Today, the National Weather Service is predicting increasing clouds with a high near 25 degrees. Wednesday night, temperatures will probably drop to around 21 degrees.
4. Two days of stakeholder meetings to discuss the state of our schools will begin this evening at the Bentley School. Be sure to get there by 5:30 p.m. to catch up on the status and plans for the district turnaround.
5. Just a reminder — due to renovations at the Collins Middle School, all School Committee meetings will be held at City Hall until further notice.