A group of King Philip Middle School students this past semester helped raise funds and needed items for the Winslow Animal Sanctuary in Norton.

The inaugural activity for members of the school's new PEACE Club also raised awareness of the sanctuary that provides homes to over 300 abused and abandoned animals.

The club raised $1,002 in donations and more than $500 in food and blankets and personally delivered the donations when they visited the sanctuary.

The money raised was earmarked to help finish and maintain a special needs barn that houses rehabilitating and injured animals.

The students were given a tour of the farm, and ate lunch around a campfire side-by-side many of the animals, which included dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, geese, chickens, emus and donkeys. PEACE, which stands for Pets, Environment, And Community Efforts, involved over 40 students, staff, and community members under the direction of wellness teacher Peter Boucher to help area people and pets in need.

Students pass MCAS tests

All seniors at King Philip Regional High School this past year passed the MCAS tests and were able to graduate, school officials say. "No seniors eligible to graduate didn't graduate because of MCAS," Superintendent Richard Robbat said.

Since MCAS was required to graduate five years ago, "we never had a senior not graduate because they failed to pass MCAS," Robbat added. Students in need were given extra help to pass MCAS, particularly with math.

Scholarships aplenty

A total of 136 students in the Class of 2009 at King Philip Regional High School have performed well enough on the MCAS to get tuition waivers at state colleges.

Students must score advanced on at least one Grade 10 MCAS subject, and score proficient on remaining sections.

Wellness donation made

King Philip Middle School and its new wellness program have received a donation of $3,000. The donation is from Debbie Quigley as part of the Ross Quigley Memorial Fund, which was created to give back to the community in areas that her husband Ross was interested and active in.

The Working on Wellness or WOW program promotes fitness and raises funds for such equipment. More than $7,000 has been raised. STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.