Representatives of Carencro-area school principals told the City Council they have formed a cross‑school coalition and attended a Harvard summer program to build a shared culture and increase family engagement.

The group — identified in the meeting as the Camp Cro Coalition — brings together the three feeder schools (elementary, middle and high school) to align messaging and supports for students and families, a principals’ representative said. “Our goal was to get all on the same page, the same language, so that we can build our students and build our families to be stronger supports of our education system,” the speaker said.

The principals representative described an action plan that includes stronger outreach to grandparents and older relatives who help raise children, attendance at community events such as school games and Kiwanis programs, and on‑site volunteer opportunities. “We have to build their trust, and we have to go to them. We need to stop expecting them to always coming to us,” the principal said.

Council members and community volunteers offered practical help. A council member and Kiwanis representative encouraged principals to engage grandparents at senior events; the principals’ group said it will add that to its action plan. The mayor and other council members suggested using city events — including upcoming concerts and a fall festival — as opportunities for school outreach.

Principal representatives said teacher in‑service days had already convened the five area schools and that the coalition aims to keep students and future workers in Carencro by introducing students to local businesses and civic opportunities during field trips and events.

The council did not take formal action; the exchange centered on coordination and outreach plans and offers of support from civic groups and the city.