March 31, 2003

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As a result of the recommendation of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the Plymouth School Committee has agreed to stockpile Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets for administration to students and employees in the event of a nuclear emergency during school hours. All efforts will be made to administer the Potassium Iodide in a timely manner; however, prompt evacuation is of the utmost priority. It is important to note that KI is only effective against exposure to radioactive iodine and only protects the thyroid. Numerous other forms of radiation may be released in an accident, and know that KI does not protect individuals from these other types of radioactivity. It is important to note the primary method of protection is evacuation and sheltering.

Participation in the school KI distribution program is voluntary and requires parent/guardian permission for KI to be administered by school personnel. As with all medications, we cannot administer KI to your child without consent.

Please return the attached consent form to the school whether or not you give your permission for your child to receive KI. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse in your child's building.

Sincerely,
Barry E. Haskell
Superintendent of Schools

Potassium Iodide Forms

The following forms are in Adobe Acrobat Reader forrmat. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download from Adobe for no cost. Click here to go to the Adobe Web site.

Click here for the Potassium Iodide information form!
Click here for the Consent Form! (The form can be filled out on your computer, then printed, signed, and sent to your child's school.)