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GOLD

The David Thompson GOLD program is a grade 8 to 12 district program designed to meet the needs of twice-exceptional (2E) students. 

 

*Application deadline for Fall, 2026: late winter/early spring (TBD) 

 

The goal of the GOLD program at David Thompson is to improve students’ self-concept by helping them understand their own strengths and stretches, while they develop executive functioning skills and effective compensatory strategies to be successful at school. GOLD students must be committed to learning and want to be in the GOLD program. Grade 8 & 9 GOLD students receive two courses for support in their eight-course timetable (for the other six courses they are fully integrated): one course is English 8/9, and the other is GOLD Tutorial (for program objectives, executive functioning & academic support). Older GOLD students (in grades 10-12) may be scheduled for one course of GOLD Tutorial support while they remain in the program. GOLD Tutorial provides an opportunity for students to identify their individual strengths and stretches, and to learn strategies and skills which will enable them to be successful at school. At the end of each school year, the student's need for the program is re-assessed. 

 

The GOLD program has the following objectives: 

  1. Focus on subject work, skill development and appropriate adaptations. 

  1. Encourage students to learn and practice effective social communication skills. 

  1. Develop self-advocacy skills. 

  1. Develop critical thinking skills. 

  1. Provide an enriched learning environment. 

 

The GOLD teacher (Matthew Saplamaeff) will develop an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) with each student. 

 

The most successful students in GOLD often demonstrate some of the following characteristics: 

  • Average to above-average reading comprehension skills. 

  • Ability to focus their attention on academic tasks. 

  • Interest in at least one academic subject, in which they have demonstrated talent and/or giftedness. 

  • An interest in achieving at least average marks and a willingness to work toward achieving these marks. 

  • Ability to acknowledge and take responsibility for learning and/or other stretches. 

 

Criteria for Admission: 

  1. Meets the criteria for a Ministry of Education special needs designation: Gifted (P)* 

AND 

  1. Has one or more additional diagnoses (designation Q, D, G, R or H) that is impacting the student’s school success. 

 

Referral Process for Grade 7 Students: 

  1. School-Based Team (SBT) identifies student as having needs that might be met through GOLD program placement, and recommends proceeding with a referral to GOLD program. 

  1. SBT forwards required documentation via Blue Bag, by deadline (typically early Feb.—please inquire), to: 
    Marianna Karkouch, District Case Manager—Inclusion 
    RE: GOLD program screening  
    District Learning Services 
    Garibaldi Elementary, 1025 Slocan St. 
    Vancouver BC 

  1. Offers of placement sent to school administration in Spring (~April). 

 

*School Based Teams who have any questions regarding High Incidence students and/or programs should contact the District Case Manager directly: Marianna Karkouch, mkarkouch@vsb.bc.ca. This includes School Based Teams that may have current grade 8-11 students on their caseload who may be suitable for consideration for a GOLD program placement for the following year. 

 

Required Documentation: 

  • Triplicate “Request for Designation and/or Special Education Program Placement” form (not required for applicants from non-VSB schools). 

  • Psych. Ed. Assessment 

  • Current IEP 

  • Copy of recent report cards 

  • Other relevant assessment reports available in student file 

 

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