For centuries, a September-to-June school year has been the standard, which leaves a question for modern educators to resolve about how to make use of July and August. Students have been told that the summer break is a tradition born in rural society. In rural areas, school let out so students could work in the fields--but those breaks came in the spring and fall. School was in session in winter and summer. But summer vacation marked a conscious recognition of the value of rest, not a vestige of the farm labor cycle. Such a vacation initially took effect in cities, because the poor quality of school buildings--and the heat of summer--fueled concerns of educational scholars and parents about the physical health of students.