We put together a short back-to-school shopping list. Yes, classes have already started. And yes, the pants we bought last year still fit fine. All the same, here’s our list:

• Air conditioners for the high school. The district was expected to finish the previous school year with a $1.3 million surplus. That should be able to cover the cost for a few dozen air conditioning units at the high school, where the temperature of some classrooms was 86 degrees last week. We know the construction plans include AC for the building, but until the project is finished and the central AC kicks in, let’s send someone over to Walmart and Home Depot to grab some air conditioners. (When the construction project is finished, the district can donate the units to residents in need, or maybe raffle them off and give the proceeds to AfterProm.)

• Access to the bus lane at the high school. On Tuesday morning, as car traffic backed up in both directions on Lincoln Avenue and the sound of the late bell grew closer and closer, the huge bus lanes sat empty. Is there any way officials could open the bus lanes to regular vehicles once the buses are done with drop-off?

• And finally, al fresco dining. Students at Barrington High School used to eat lunch outdoors. If ever there was a time to resurrect that approach, it’s now, as officials try to squeeze hundreds of students into the temporary cafeteria, which is actually the high school library. We’re guessing that students would probably prefer to sit in the shade along the edge of the library soccer field to enjoy their PB and Js.

Just a reminder

On Thursday night, Barrington High School will host two RI Injury Fund football games. The first game (Mt. Hope vs. Middletown) is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m., and the second (Barrington vs. East Providence) starts at 7. Hundreds of people are expected to attend the two games, and, hopefully, will steer clear of the construction zone at the school. 

Barrington school officials are reminding everyone that they need to follow the path that goes around the outside of the construction site. During a recent interview, Barrington High School Director of Athletics and Student Activities George Finn said the district created the safe pathway for people to use to access Victory Field and the other playing surfaces. 

Finn said people should park in the student lot (on Upland Way), follow the well-marked area on Upland Way and then enter through a gate onto the asphalt path that encircles the construction area. 

Finn said that path should be used everyone — he said people should not be doing any drop-offs or pick-ups along Federal Road.