Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Jessica Ferreira and Alex Frieband, students at Milford High School, are the recipients this year of the Superintendent’s Academic Excellence Awards, having qualified for the statewide honor based on their academic standing, cumulative GPA and character. Ferreira an Frieband were recognized Thursday at the Milford School Committee meeting.

2. Bill and Nancy Gannett of Hopedale were honored recently at Milford Regional Medical Center’s annual meeting as the first Trustee Emeriti for the hospital Board of Trustees. The Gannetts are retiring from the board after more than 76 years of combined service to the hospital.

3. More than 140 young teens rang in the New Year at the Milford Youth Center's first Find Yourself Fridays event of 2012. The modest entrance fee will be used to purchase play equipment for the Milford Play Initiative's planned playground at Fino Field.

4. Forty-eight students at Woodland Elementary School were recognized this month for being good students, with a "High Five" award. The award recognizes two students in each class who follow the school and classroom rules, including arriving on time, coming to school prepared to work and trying their hardest. For a list of the children recognized, see the announcement.

5. Sunday is Scout Sunday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. All Boy Scouts are encouraged to attend the 10:30 a.m. mass in uniform, and join in the procession in uniform.