"We are in a business of taking away hope or giving kids way too much hope," Mark Scharenbroich told principals at the closing general session. "And I would much, much rather do the latter."

Scharenbroich challenged principals to build connections with students and other people and related a number of examples, many of which he experienced when visiting Stadium High School in Tacoma where Jonathan Kellett is principal.

Numerous ways of connecting are simple common sense activities, such as offering a visitor a cup of coffee, featuring photos of academic heroes at your school, and really loving your school.

Scharenbroich also related the story of now-retired Missouri Principal Al Burr, who spent time each summer studying flash cards he created from the yearbooks of feeder middle schools so he would know the names of entering freshmen in the fall. When those students were greeted by name by the principal the first day of school, powerful connections were starting.

Scharenbroich urged principals to create schools where students didn't spend the first day each fall simply filling out forms. Rather, when you excite kids that first day, the entire year will be different, he said.

He explained that human beings have a basic need to belong, whether belonging to a school family or a gang, and that kids become dysfunctional when they don't belong. He urged school leaders to feature celebrations and traditions to help students feel good about the school family and become connected.

Calling principals "significant people in the lives of young people" who are the number one factor in school change, Scharenbroich concluded by thanking them for their commitment and encouraging them to never overlook the power of thanking others.