Creating Opportunities For Physical Activity (COPA)

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers’ Creating Opportunities For Physical Activity program believes all schools should provide children the opportunity to be active and healthy before, during and after school. Every day we coach, guide, and inspire children, parents, teachers, and school staff to create a culture of daily physical activity and healthy eating, because everyone should live and learn in a healthy environment.

COPA - Services

Peer-coach training for teachers

Physical Education teachers have been eliminated in many urban, public schools. COPA uses a peer coach model to teach elementary classroom teachers how to provide Physical Education using a Providence-designed and standards-based Physical Education curriculum.

Increase physical activity opportunities

Through trainings for before and after school staff, trainings for recess staff, special events such as Cardio-Carnivals and Jog-a-thons, and in-class activities such as Instant Recess®, COPA provides children with numerous opportunities to be active throughout the day.

Family activities to promote parents as role models for healthy behavior

COPA provides exercise classes, health education and special family nights that teach easy, low cost ways to be healthy.

COPA Schools

We thank the schools and school districts that have supported COPA, since 2005. We are honored to work with your students and families to create a culture of health and wellness on your school campuses.

Lawndale Elementary School District

  • William Anderson Elementary School*
  • FDR Elementary School*
  • William Green Elementary School*
  • Billy Mitchell Elementary School*
  • Lucille Smith Elementary School
  • Mark Twain Elementary School*

Los Angeles Unified Elementary School District

  • Barton Hill Maritime STEAM Magnet
  • Broad Avenue Elementary School
  • Cabrillo Elementary School*
  • Crestwood STEAM Magnet*
  • George De La Torre, Jr. Span School and Magnet Center
  • Fries Avenue STEAM Academy
  • Gulf Avenue STEAM Elementary School and Magnet Center
  • Hawaiian Avenue School and STEAM Magnet Center
  • Harry Bridges Span School*
  • Normont Elementary School*
  • Wilmington Park Elementary School*
  • 7th Street Elementary School*
  • 15th Street Elementary School

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools

  • 107th Street Elementary and STEAM Magnet School
  • Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School

Torrance Unified School District

  • Lincoln Elementary School

Hawthorne School District

  • Eucalyptus School
  • Zela Davis School
  • Washington School
  • Kornblum School
  • Ramona School
  • York School
  • Jefferson School

* Schools participating in the 2022-2023 school year

If you are a school in the South Bay and would like to bring COPA to your school, please contact us at 562-416-3312 or [email protected].