About Us

Good education doesn’t just happen. It must be nurtured and maintained; constantly reevaluated and recharged with ideas and energy from all its sources: parents, teachers, community members, and administration. We want to develop that team of sources into the best educational system in the area, and we know that a relationship like that can only be built between groups of people who know and understand one another.

Our School

We welcome you to Ruth Fisher Middle School. We’re dedicated to providing a bright future for all of our students as they engage in the productive struggle required for learning and achieving. Ruth Fisher students receive an excellent education that inspires them to become active, contributing members of a responsible citizenry. Our staff believes in three central commitments: individual high expectations, unity and collaboration, and providing the students with the best learning opportunities possible.

We honor the worth and potential of every child and offer a wide variety of educational opportunities to reach all personalities and learning styles, both inside and outside of the classroom. Our caring and cooperative community makes Ruth Fisher a truly special place. Our parent teacher organization is extremely active and affords our kids opportunities that shore up our school efforts and create a true sense of school family. Our school is a community resource, where people come together, share ideas, and work for the benefit of our students.

Ruth Fisher Middle School

RUTH FISHER FEATURES

  • Embedded Enrichment 

  • Physical Education Program

  • Jr. High Athletics

  • Robotics

  • National Junior Honor Society

  • ELL Program

  • Special Education Program

  • One-to-One Digital Devices

  • Student Council

  • Tutoring Program

  • Inter-District Science Instruction

  • Art Club

  • Field Trips

  • Band

SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Gates open at 7:45 a.m.

6th-8th Grade:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

PBS:
7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

ASD:
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

STC:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Preschool:
Session 1 7:15 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
Session 2 9:20 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Session 3 12:30 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.

Early Dismissal:
12:15 p.m.

Matt Dobesh

Meet Principal Matt Dobesh

Welcome to Ruth Fisher Middle School, home of the Colts!

As a staff, we are committed and dedicated to the academic success and social-emotional growth of your middle school students. Our mission at Ruth Fisher is to promote critical thinkers and successful learners in an environment that differentiates based on student's needs to ensure academic and personal growth every day. As a Kids at Hope school, we believe and practice that all children are capable of success, no exceptions! 

Communication is critical for the continued success of our students. Please help us by keeping your information current with our front office and notify the front office when your child is absent from school. Parental support plays an integral part in your child’s education. One way parents are able to help support their child is to view your child’s grades and attendance through our PowerSchool parent portal. We hope that you and your child will take advantage of the parent portal to stay on top of their grades and attendance and ultimately their academic success. If you have any questions or concerns, always speak to the teacher first regarding a concern for your child. 

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to working in partnership with you for your child’s academic success. Feel free to call our front office with any questions you might have about our campus.

I look forward to getting to know you and if I can be of service in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

Matt Dobesh
Principal

Athletics

Our goal to pursue victory with honor will help student-athletes develop healthy attitudes towards competition and a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship. These principles include preparation, hard work, self-discipline, and the ability to win or lose with grace. Learning the appropriate role of sports is important in education and in providing meaningful, personal relationships and realistic career ambitions and alternatives. We know the importance of building good character, and we will strive to provide a quality education and athletics experience through the use of the following six pillars of character:

  • Trustworthiness

  • Respect

  • Responsibility

  • Fairness

  • Caring

  • Citizenship

Want to know if we're playing tonight? Please check our Calendar for all the latest game information.

Attendance Policy

Here at Ruth Fisher we believe attendance is one of the most important factors for a students success. We have adopted the C.U.T.S policy to assist with truancy issues. If your student is absent and needs to be excused please contact our attendance line at: (623) 474-5502. Please read the letter below in regards to our attendance policy.

Preschool

Saddle Mountain Developmental Preschool is a special needs preschool. It services students who reside within the Saddle Mountain Unified School District who qualify for special education preschool services. There is no charge for special needs students to attend. Special needs students will have free bus transportation. The Saddle Mountain preschool holds a license to provide part-day care for children who are from three to five years of age. The special needs preschool has the option of admitting role model students. We would want to screen them before admitting them as a role model. Role model students will have a tuition charge of $150.00 per month. Role model students need to have their own transportation to and from school.

Each day will consist of mealtime, circle time, academic skill practice, fine motor skill practice, free-choice learning centers, craft activities, story and song time, and gross motor activities. Speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vision services, and hearing services will be available to special education students who qualify for these services.

Meals

Meals will be available in the dining area of the therapy room. Part of the focus of mealtime will be developing appropriate table manners, learning how to use utensils and other tables items correctly, and practicing conversational skills.

Hours of Operation

Preschool is three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout the school year. There are two sessions.

  • Session one is from 8:00 to 10:45 a.m.

    • Early release is 10:00 a.m.

  • Session two is from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

    • Early release is 12:00 p.m.

CHILD FIND

Saddle Mountain Unified School District is looking for students aged two years nine months through five years who may have suspected delays. Children with special needs benefit from early intervention. If you are the parent of a preschool child or know of a preschool child with suspected developmental delays, please contact (623) 474-5112 to schedule a free screening. Screenings take place the first Friday of each month at Ruth Fisher Middle School.

Suspected delays can be present in the areas of communication, cognition, behavior, as well as in physical, auditory, visual and sensory development.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requires that public school agencies ensure all children (from birth through age 21) with delays or developmental disabilities are identified, located, and evaluated to receive the supports and services they need. This includes all children living within the geographic boundaries of the school district, those who are homeless or wards of the state, are attending private schools, or are home schooled. Public schools and the Arizona Early Intervention Program are responsible for finding eligible children and providing services needed for them to reach their developmental milestones or meet their educational needs.