To:   Transportation Employees

From:  Albert Samora, Executive Director of Transportation Services

Date:   August 13th, 2021

RE:  COVID-19 Update

 

Earlier this week, I told you I would continue sharing information about the recent COVID-19 vaccination mandate as it becomes available from the District. I have some new information to share regarding the order for all DPS employees to be fully vaccinated by September 30th. 

 

DPS will be granting religious and medical exemptions for employees meeting the correct criteria. If you would like to request an exemption, please read below to find out how.

 

How do I seek a medical accommodation related to a disability?

• Review the information on The Commons and submit a request to the District’s ADA team in Human Resources through the links on this site. 
• You can also find more information about accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act in the DPS Employment Practices Handbook for employees. 
• After you submit a request for medical accommodation, the ADA team will contact you to engage in what’s called the “interactive process” about your request.

 

How do I seek a religious exemption from the vaccine requirement because it is contrary to a sincerely-held religious belief?

• An employee who seeks a religious exemption must submit a written request to their immediate supervisor or assigned HR Partner (Chandra Lutz, chandra_lutz@dpsk12.net). 
• The written request shall include a statement regarding how the employee’s religious practices conflict with the requirement to get vaccinated. 
• To ensure consistency, there will be a centralized team in Human Resources and the Legal Department that reviews all religious exemption requests.  
• You can find more information about the religious accommodation requests in the DPS Employment Practice Handbook for employees. 

 

Please be sure to read through these FAQs to better understand the District’s plan for the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. If you still have questions, you are welcome to attend an employee town hall meeting with the new superintendent.

 

What: Telephone town hall meeting

When: Monday, August 16th at 4:00 P.M.

Why: This town hall meeting will give all team members the opportunity to hear from members of our DPS leadership team, as well as health experts. It will also be your chance to ask questions about the new health order and what it means for you. 

How: This hour-long event will be held over the phone, and all employees will receive a phone call from 720-513-8451 to their personal phone number on file inviting them to join. 

 

Here’s what you need to know to join:

 

• All employees will receive a phone call to their personal phone number on file, inviting them to join the tele town hall.
• If you do not have a current phone number on file with DPS or are not sure if you do, fill out this form by 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, with your name, DPS email address and phone number, and you’ll be added to the list.
• If you miss the call, you will receive a voicemail with instructions on how to join. 

 

As a reminder, masks are now mandatory for every DPS employee. This includes people who are vaccinated. Both the vaccinated and unvaccinated must wear a mask at work. The only time masks are not required is when you are outside or if you are alone in your office, mechanic’s bay or cubicle.

 

If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, it is free and available to anyone in Colorado 12 years old and older. To get your vaccine, you can visit Denver Health clinics on a walk-in basis, or visit the State of Colorado’s vaccine website for more locations.

Thank you,

 

Albert Samora

Executive Director of Transportation Services

Transportation@dpsk12.org