DISCOVERVOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

ACMS

UNFORMSWAG TIPS

OUR TOP 5

How to stay on trend

without breaking the

rules.

WHATIS YOUR MUSE?

Teacher and Staff interviews about sources of inspiration

A Healthy

HOLIDAYRECIPE

THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 VS.

Which is the best in the tech world?

THE iPHONE 6

3 MUST SEEHOLIDAY MOVIES!

December2014

A FEW OF

OUR FAVORITE

TV MOMENTS!

Cover  Photo  Attribution:  Flickr:  "Christmas  #29"  by  Kevin  Dooley.  No  changes  made.Cover Design by Chyna Knackstedt

Edith is an 8th grader at ASTEC CharterSchool. Some of her hobbies are writing,reading, and spending time with her family.

She loves watching "The Walking Dead" and"Glee." Her favorite color is pink.

Dear DISCOVER ACMS Readers,

It is a great honor to introduceDiscover ACMS to you!

We are a digital publication hereto tell you the latest facts aboutwhat is happening at ASTECCharter Middle School, the world,and in our community.

Our team is made of writers,photographers, and graphicdesigners with the goal of helpingyou be more informed andentertained.

We hope that you take the timeto read our publication. We allwork together as a team and wegive you our very best. We hopethat you enjoy reading as muchas we enjoyed working on it.

Happy Holidays!

-Edith C.

A LETTER FROM OUREDITOR IN CHIEF

Designed  by  David  Babb  &  Team  Editors

Ever wonder how you can

follow uniform rules without

breaking fashion rules?

Well, we’re here to help. Here

are some simple and quick

ways to switch up your look.

5UnformWritten by Lindsey Hewette& Team Editors

Designed by McKenna Garrett & Team Editors

Tips

Photos by Jessica Rodriguez

Swag

Tip #1 A Simple Black Scarf

A simple black scarf is agreat way to stay warm and add some style. Infinity scarves are fun and affordable.

These scarves are a nofuss style addition. Youcan find infinity scarveseverywhere includingWal-Mart and Target.

Nothing says classy yetcomfortable like a scarf,so snuggle up!

Tip #2Add a tie, or even

cuter, a bow tie.

Boys can go the prep route by adding a black tie to the uniform equation. This is a solidand classic look thatnever goes out of style.

The bow tie look makesthe bold statement, "I'm all about my business and ready for class,yet totally cool."

Tip #3

Minimal Makeup

Ladies: A thin coatof mascara andneutral colored eyeshadow is a great way to add a little color to yourlook while still looking like apresentable scholar.

Hair

Let's talk hair. While we cannot dye our hair, we can always style it as long as it's not too crazy.

6th grader, Craig Brown,is known for his awesomehair! Right, ladies?

Tip #4 Add a Black Blazer

Ladies and Gentlemen: Thistip is our favorite! Add anintelligent flare to your uniform by adding a simple black fitted blazer and top off your scholarlylook. You can even thrift these jackets and find them in mint condition.

Here's the low-down on the Class “A” Uniform look, also known as ASTEC's “Optional Uniform”

*Can be worn Monday–Friday*Solid white long sleeve Oxfordstyle shirt*Solid black blazer*Khaki pants, capris, or skirt *Solid black leather belt w/simplebuckle *Solid black dress shoes and black socks *Solid white dress shoes for girls (optional) *Solid black tie (optional)

GET THE LOOK: CLASS "A" UNIFORM SWAG

Tip #5 Confidence

This is the ultimate tip ifyou are looking to dress upyour look at school! Youdon't need any of the itemswe suggested more than youneed confidence.

Walk down the hall with your head held high andyour shoulders pulled back.

Stand up tall, smile, andremember it's cool to be you.Confidence is truly the bestaccessory.

Give your attitudea makeover with confidence.

TECH

NEWS

The launch ofthe SamsungGalaxy S6 is stillmore than 3-4months away.That’s a lifetimein smartphoneterms!

The Samsung GalaxyS5 and iPhone 6 aretwo of the hottestphones to get rightnow, but which one isthe best phone?

We’ve put this handyarticle together tohelp you compare thetwo.

Photo  Credit:  techbuzzes.com

Which one isthe best phone?

Written by Alexis Goddard,Michael Mackey, & Team Editors

THE iPHONE 6 VS. THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5

TECH

NEWSMs. Dunn purchased the iPhone 6 as soon as it came out.Here is what wepicked up from ourshort conversationabout her phone.

It's no secret thatthese two phonesare at war in thetechnology world,but it seemseveryone's stillbuzzing about the iPhone 6.

ALEXIS : What do you like aboutyour iphone?MS. DUNN : I like that it has a goodcamera, and it’s fancy.ALEXIS : Is there anything youdislike about it?MS. DUNN : I dislike that the phonerestarts at random times withoutinstruction. ALEXIS : Has your phone bent?MS. DUNN : Nope.

OUR  INTERVIEW  WITH

MS.  DUNN

We haveinterviewed oneof our teachershere at ASTEC,Ms. Dunn, abouther iPhone 6experience.

Sorry iPhone doubters,no bending action toreport here!

TECH

NEWS

The iPhone 6 The Samsung Galaxy S5

THE COMPARISONBREAKDOWN

Big  screen  (4.7  inches)

Weighs  a  little  more

Higher  quality  camera  thanprevious  models

Not  waterproof

Comes  in  gold,  silver  orgray

Comes  with  App  Store  forgames,  music  and  more

Non-­removable  battery

iOS  8  operating  system

Capacity  options:  16  GB,64  GB,  and  128  GB

Even  bigger  screen  (5.1  inches)

Weighs  less

Better  quality  camera  due  tohigher  megapixels

Waterproof

Comes  in  black,  blue,  white  orgold

Comes  with  Google  Play  forgames,  music  and  more.  Mostthings  are  free.

Removable  battery

Android  4.4.2  operating  system

Flexible  capacity16  GB,  32  GB,  and  expandablestorage  up  to  128  GB

OUR FAVORITEA FEW OF

TV MOMENTS

"My  favorite  TV  moment  was  on  Pretty  Little  Liars  

during  season  4  episode  25  when  the  friends  of  

Allison  DiLaurentis,  the  girl  that  has  gone  missing

and  thought  to  be  dead,  was  found  not  to  be  dead  

at  all.  Her  friends  find  out  the  truth  about  what  

happened  that  night  she  disappeared.

"My  favorite  TV  moment  was  when  Nicki  Minaj  told  Mariah  Carey

on  American  Idol  to  'Simmer  down  sir!"

Edith  Contreras8th  grade,  Editor  in  Chief

Brian  Rodriguez8th  grade,  News  Writer

Camryn  Mackey7th  grade,  Photographer

"My  favorite  TV  moment  was  on  Once  Upon  a  Time  when  the  curse  was

finally  lifted.  The  people  of  Storybrooke  were  stuck  and  didn't  remember

anything  clearly  until  the  curse  was  lifted  from  the  town."

They  are  also  so  close  to  finding  out  who  is  "A"  is  and  why  Allison's  mom  

buried  her  daughter  alive.  In  my  opinion,  it  has  something  to  do  with  Jason.

This  is  the  reason  I  love  Pretty  Little  Liars,  all  the  suspense  and  the  drama."

By Brian Rodriguez

Holiday RecipePHOTOS & STORY BY NATIVIDAD GONZALEZ

6TH GRADE NEWS WRITER

A Healthy

I  sat  down  with  our  HealthCorps

Coordinator,  Ms.  Ling,  to  talk  about

delicious  and  healthy  holiday  recipe  ideas.

Her  favorite  healthy  dessert  to  enjoy  during

the  holiday  season  is  a  pumpkin  pie

smoothie.  I  decided  to  give  it  a  try  and

spent  an  evening  in  the  kitchen

with  my  mom  creating  it.

I  predicted  the  drink  would  come  out  sweet

and  very  smooth  like  a  marshmallow.

However,  when  I  made  it,  it  came  out

chunky  and  not  sweet  enough.  I  added

more  honey  and  a  bit  of  water  and  it  came

out  so  very  good!

Check  out  the  recipe  and  try  it  with  your

family  too!  Thanks,  Ms.  Ling!

Ingredients:1  cup  pumpkin  purée

1  large  ripe  banana

1  cup  unsweetened  soymilk  or  coconut

   milk  beverage

1  tablespoon  honey

1/2  teaspoon  pure  vanilla  extract

1  1/4  teaspoon  pumpkin  pie  spice

5  ice  cubes

Method:  *Do  not  operate  a  blenderwithout  an  adult  present*Combine  all  ingredients  in  a  blender

and  blend  until  smooth.  Pour  into  2

glasses  and  serve.

Nutritional  Info:160  calories  (20  from  fat),  2.5g  total

fat,  0g  saturated  fat,  0mg  cholesterol,

65mg  sodium,  33g  carbohydrate  (4g

dietary  fiber,  19g  sugar),  5g  protein

3 MUST SEEHOLIDAYMOVIES

“ANNIE” is a remake of a true classic! This movie will

definitely put you in the Holiday spirit as you watch the

journey of a young girl’s life change for the better.

It has an all-star cast and comes out Christmas day.

“Into the Woods” is Disney’s

newest addition to the many

greats! This magical tale that all

begins with a wish will

have you singing on Christmas

day from beginning to end.

Coming to theaters Christmas

day!

“Night at the Museum” will have you on the edge of your seat

as you watch the most unlikely of things come to life! This

follow up movie will make you laugh, smile, and laugh some

more. It hits theaters on December 19th.

ASTEC

Halloween 2014Photos by Juan Nieto & Taylor Dickson

IS FUN.

ASTECMoments on the CourtyardPhotos by Juan Nieto

IS ACTIVE.

ASTECArt GalorePhotos by Wendy Trinh, Katie Nguyen,

& Henry Deleon

IS CREATIVE

WHATIS YOUR MUSE?

BY EDITH CONTRERAS

MUSE /MYO͞OZ/(NOUN) - A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION OR CREATIVE INFLUENCE.

Mrs. Urbina loves art and

loves to spread it. Her muse

is the joy in helping students

discover that they are

creative and talented and

seeing their faces light up

when they have created a

beautiful masterpiece.

Mrs. Urbina

6th Grade Explore

Muse: Spreading the Gift of Art

Mr. Porter

8th Grade Science

Muse: Nature

Mr. Porter loves nature. When he

needs to think, he takes a walk in

the park. It always helps him keep a

clear mind. Mr. Porter loves

animals. Stop by his classroom and

you'll find that to be true.

Mr. Patterson’s muse is his

mother because she has had a

big impact on his life and

made him the person he is

today. He is very grateful to

have a mother like her.

Another is his grandmother

because she has taught him so

many life lessons and her

wisdom has helped him

persevere in life.

He also remains very inspired

by his wife, who makes him

get up everyday for school and

reminds him to feed the cats.

Ms. Kimbrough's muse is her

family, which makes her very

happy and gets her up every

single day.

She is also motivated by the

scholars at school, who are like

her extended family. Ms.

Kimbrough loves kitty cats and

is a big animal lover in general.

Mr. Patterson

8th Grade English

Muses: His Mother,

Grandmother, and

Wife

Ms. Kimbrough

Dean of Students

Muses: Family, Students,

& Animals

a Happy Holiday Season.

Peaceto all