Nursing Services

Mesa Middle School

Nursing Services Information

My name is Kim Cashman, I am the School Nurse Consultant at Mesa Middle School. My educational background starts in 2002 with a BA in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. In 2009 I returned to school and graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I started working as a school nurse in Douglas County in August of 2022. Prior to school nursing I worked at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO)  for 11 years. I started nursing on the float team and worked on med/surg, oncology, cardiac, neonatal and pulmonary inpatient units. After 5 years of floating I transferred to one of CHCO’s  Network of Care sites and worked in their Emergency Room/Urgent Care and inpatient unit. I have loved taking my pediatric nursing experience and transferring that into the school setting. School Nursing is a specialized practice of nursing that protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School Nurse Consultants bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to provide support that allows students and communities to develop to their fullest potential (National Association of School Nurses, 2017).

How do I contact the  school nurse at Mesa?

Kim Cashman

Office Phone: 303-387-4780

Email: kcashman@dcsdk12.org

Where does a student go if they  feel sick or get hurt at school?

The health room is located in the main office. Students are allowed to visit the health room for illness, injury and/or health support they may need. 

Mesa Middle School has District Health Assistants that are trained in Basic First Aid/CPR and receive specific training and delegation from the School Nurse. 

When should a student stay home if they are not feeling well? 

Please see the attached DCSD link regarding student attendance with illness

https://www.dcsdk12.org/parents-students/attendance/guidelines-for-determining-attendance

What forms do I need for medications to be held and administered in the health room?

For medication to be held and administered by health room staff the following Provider Authorization will need to be completed. 

• Provider Medication Authorization Form - Rev 8.2.19

The following forms can be completed for emergency allergy and asthma medications:

• Anaphylaxis: Colorado Allergy Action Plan
• Asthma: Colorado Asthma Action Plan
• Please also sign the following parent release when submitting these forms. 
  • Medication Request and Release Agreement

Can my student self carry medications? 

DCSD Self Carry Medication Policy for Middle School Students

• Mesa students may carry a one-day supply of over the counter medication without any form. These over the counter medications must be in the original container and may not be distributed to other students. 
• Mesa students may carry a one day supply of a prescription medication only if a signed "permission to self carry medication" form is on file with the school. This prescription medications must be in the labeled prescription bottle. 
  • Permission to Self-Carry and Self-Admin Medication Form 04.15.2021
• Students that do not follow the DCSD medication policy will have such medication confiscated by school personnel, parents or guardians will be notified, and the student may face disciplinary action

What happens if my student has a concussion? 

A concussion may affect a student’s ability to learn. Because every brain and every student is different, every concussion is different. Recovery time will be unique to each student, requiring an individualized approach to determine when it is appropriate to begin to return to athletic activity and full academics. Therefore, it is essential to have a concussion adjustment plan in place to help concussed students heal while continuing their education. 

Please notify the school nurse as soon as possible if your student is diagnosed with a concussion and we will work together with your student’s team of teachers to provide students support and guidance.

What are the immunization requirements for students? 

Colorado law requires students attending Colorado schools to be vaccinated against certain diseases unless a medical or non-medical exemption is filed. 

You can find more information about CDPHE requirements for vaccines for students enrolled in public schools in Colorado at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/schoolrequiredvaccines.

For more information about vaccine requirements, resources and exemptions, please visit the following Colorado Department of Public Health and Environments site: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/public-immunization-information