Sammamish-Issaquah, WA|News|
Lake Washington Students Continue to Score Well Above State on Standardized Tests
Sammamish, Redmond and Kirkland students demonstrated continued improvement in math testing scores.

Email: kendall.watson@patch.com
Phone: 206-455-1331
Hometown: Salem, UT
Age: 37
Bio: From 2006 to 2010, I've worked at newspapers in California and Washington state, including the Mercer Island Reporter in 2009 covering education and sports.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause editors to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I'm a mixed bag. I strongly believe in the power of the government to act as a force for good and to improve people's lives. It is, after all, made up of people. But I also believe that our elected representatives should be held accountable and spend money they raise for the state carefully and wisely—they should conserve our resources for when we really need them. It is, after all, our money. And finally, we should always be thinking about how our actions affect others, now and in the future—both those we don't know and our loved ones living with us now, as well as our children and grandchildren not yet born.
Are you registered with a certain party?
I am not currently registered with a political party.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I consider myself a casual observer of the mystery of life, and enjoy the multitude of expressions in celebration of it. Heck, it's one of the main reasons I sought out a career in writing. I believe in this.
Sammamish, Redmond and Kirkland students demonstrated continued improvement in math testing scores.

Tips and tools to plan summer's last hoorah.
Tips and tools to plan summer's last hoorah.
The woman's car was struck by the semi-truck, three minutes after she called 9-1-1 for help after striking a deer.
The woman's car was struck by the semi-truck, three minutes after she called 9-1-1 for help after striking a deer.
The residence and seven others are part of the 2013 Seattle Modern Home Tour, open to tourgoers from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 7.
The U.S. is the only developed nation that does not require employers to offer paid vacation, according to a report. Provided by AOL Jobs.
The U.S. is the only developed nation that does not require employers to offer paid vacation, according to a report. Provided by AOL Jobs.
MI Rotary is seeking local families interested in hosting opportunities, and from Mercer Island High School Sophomores interested in studying abroad during their Junior year.
WSDOT says drivers should plan for 2 or more hours Monday and Wednesday.
The Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle will perform on Mercer Island this Sunday, Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Park amphitheater. Credit: Mercer Island Arts Council.
Hairstorm performs at the last of summer's free, family-friendly concerts from 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 27, 2013 in Issaquah.
A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) seeks a Mercer Island resident to help evaluate local housing funding proposals and increase awareness of housing issues on the Eastside.
Here's what's playing in theaters around town this weekend, plus showtimes.
Here's what's playing in theaters nearby this weekend, plus showtimes.
The City of Issaquah is throwing a free barbecue party from 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2013, at the new Confluence Area Park, located at 695 Rainier Blvd. N.
A controversial call ruled out an inning-ending double play, allowing Westport, Conn slugger Chad Knight to the plate. He hit a home run to end the game.
The event will honor both the Little League baseball Northwest champions and World Series contenders and the softball state champs.
Jana Lutteropp, 20, was killed in a shark attack in Maui, Hawaii.