5 Things You Need to Know Today: Friday, April 6

Blue skies: If you liked Thursday's weather -- and really, who, other than Edward Cullen would take issue with clear blue skies and abundant sunshine -- then consider yourself lucky. According to the National Weather Service, that trend will continue through Easter Sunday.

Go ski racer: Did you hear that Markham fifth grader will compete in the USASA National Championships kick off at Copper Mountain, April 7. The 11-year old is ranked 11th in the nation in her age group for ski racing. Patch wishes here lots of luck this weekend!

What's up?: parents, have you tried checking into Parent Portal lately and not been able to get in? Here's the deal: the site is offline from now until third marking period grades are posted on April 17.

Futurama: t parents also need to start getting used to paperless report cards. According to PTO President Katie LaPorta in a Facebook post:

Report cards will be accessible via the parent portal on or about April 20. Please make sure you can access the portal. If you can't, contact the main office for assistance. In addition, please make sure you have current emails on file as the district is researching how to utilize their student information system to send out e-mail alerts.

Last chance: If your spring break doesn't kick off until after Easter, we've got a bunch of to spruce up you vacation wardrobe and won't require you to go anywhere near Route 35 to find them.

About this column: "5 Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column where we round up events, facts and information at a glance. Stay tuned every weekday for our five informative tidbits.