Ready to head back to school? Here's how much it could cost in the Green Bay area

The first day of school is just over a month away, meaning some families are already buying fresh packs of crayons and backpacks.

As parents shop for school supplies earlier and earlier, retailers are responding. Target launched its annual back-to-school sale in early July, even though most schools in northeast Wisconsin begin around Labor Day.

More than half of back-to-school shoppers had already begun buying supplies in early July, according to an annual survey conducted by the National Retail Federation , the nation’s largest retail trade association.

However, expected spending per household is down slightly from last year. Families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend, on average, $874.68 on clothing, school supplies and electronics. This is about $15 less than the record-high expected spending of $890.07 from last year, the National Retail Federation survey said.

The decrease could be explained by parents tightening spending habits during a cost-of-living squeeze and lower spending on tech, which students can typically use for multiple years.

Still, buying everything on a supply list for multiple children can easily cost hundreds of dollars.

The Press Gazette used the School List Assist feature on target.com — which generates a list of items to add to your cart based on the school supply list for a specified school and grade level — to determine the cost of supplies for a first-grader, fourth-grader and eighth-grader in the Green Bay area.

First grade at Red Smith K-8 School in the Green Bay Area School District

24 items for $110.07, including tax

Markers, scissors, binders, crayons and more were on sale. The cart also includes a 12-pack of Crayola colored pencils — on sale for 99 cents — which the supply list says is optional. Target.com automatically added one box of plastic sandwich bags and a box of plastic spoons, which are required if the student's last name starts with a letter between I and Q.

The Press Gazette added two fine-point Sharpies and one chisel-tip Sharpie, which are required for art class. Those items cost $1.99 and $3.99, respectively.

The most expensive items in the cart were a pair of new gym shoes for $32.99 and a pair of wired headphones for $9.99.

Fourth grade at Heritage Elementary School in the Unified School District of De Pere

37 items for $221.67, including tax

The most expensive items were a JanSport backpack for $54.99, a pair of new gym shoes for $32.99 and a water bottle for $22.99. Students might already own some of these items, lowering the overall cost of supplies.

This cart includes gallon Ziploc bags — which are required for students with last names A through L — for $5.99. Several other items in the cart were on sale, including plastic folders with prongs for $2.19 each, Crayola markers for $2.99, a 24-pack of crayons for 25 cents and more.

Eighth grade at Parkview Middle School in the Ashwaubenon School District

31 items for $116.64, including tax

This cart includes an optional pencil case for $6 and an optional 12-pack of colored pencils for 99 cents. Target.com did not add chemical splash goggles or an old shirt to serve as a smock for art class, which are optional according to the supply list. The cart also does not include a gym uniform, which can be purchased from the main school office, or supplies for students in band.

Some items in the cart were on sale, including a 12-pack of highlighters for $6.99, plastic folders for $2.19 each and paper folders with prongs for $1.49 each. The most expensive item on the supply list was a scientific calculator, which costs $19.99 at Target.

Where to find Green Bay districts’ school supply lists

Green Bay : Lists for each school can be found on the district website under the “Families” tab. Students at Howe Elementary School and the Head Start Early Learning Center will receive all necessary supplies at school. East High School also does not have a supply list; students should bring supplies as needed, but extra supplies will be available at East’s Caring Closet .

Howard-Suamico : Supply lists are available on the district website under the “Schools” tab, including a separate list for 4K students. Bay Port High School does not have a supply list, but the website recommends students bring a pen, pencil and notebook for the first day. Teachers will inform students of any additional supplies during the first days of school.

Ashwaubenon : Lists for all schools , as well as all 4K and kindergarten students and middle school students participating in band, are available on the district website. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the document for band supply lists.

Unified School District of De Pere : To access lists , go to the “Families” tab on the district website. In the top left corner, there are links to supplies lists for each school.

West De Pere : Lists for each elementary and middle school, as well as Phantom Knight Charter School, are on each school's website under the “Parent Info” tab. Supply lists for the 4K program are in a separate tab titled “Supply List.”

Pulaski School District : Supply lists are published on each school's website under the “Quick Links” tab. 4K supplies are listed by school under the “4K Sites and Locations” tab.

Contact Kathryn Muchnick at KMuchnick@gannett.com or 812-568-4468.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ready to head back to school? Here's how much it could cost in the Green Bay area