where is the sunshine

Okay I am officially ready for winter to be over and for spring to be here. However it has been warmer which can be a good thing except for the fact that it warmed up so fast that it all flooded my basement. I guess I should be careful for what I wish for. for those of you who have never seen water coming out of a wall be grateful. Luckily I was at work and Dan and Tristen wonderful guys that they are had it all cleaned up before I got home.
I have decided that if it can't be summer break yet I will settle for spring break. especially since my kids don't get the same break as me so I will actually get a break. Not so much for Dan he gets to deal with the kids on their spring break. but with work being as stressful as it has been this week I am definately ready for that break.
I do have a simple or not so simple question for you all... How do you make a child realize that school is important and getting through it is just something you have to do? It seems some of my kids haven't hit that realization, or don't want to. I heard slamming their head against a wall doesn't work and can just get you in trouble, so short of that I am open to suggestions.