MADISON (WKOW) -- Back to school shopping is already underway. Stores, like Target, put out their display weeks ago.
Most parents have their lists, but it may surprise some when they head to the store that schools have parents buying for more than just their kids.
Alyssa McSwain is getting her school shopping done early. Alyssa says, "we just came early to try and beat the crowd."
She's shopping for her 1st grader and 4th grader. Looking over her list, there's nothing out of the ordinary. The typical glue sticks, scissors, crayons, and colored pencils are all listed, but a new thing over the past couple of years is a request for parents to chip in and buy general classroom supplies.
Suzanne Swift, a mother of two, says, "I think the district isn't supplying things in an adequate way."
The Madison Metropolitan School District didn't have an answer when 27 News called and asked when and why items like hand sanitizer, zip lock bags, and Kleenex were required for parents to purchase and not supplied by the school.
Suzanne Swift says, "This year on my sons list for Randall, 2 reems of printer paper, notebook paper, etc. so I do think there is a shift from just providing supplies for you individual child to providing more general schools supplies like Kleenex, zip lock bags."
Robyn Billig got her shopping done last week, but was surprised by a few things on her daughter's list.
Robyn Billig says, "I guess I was surprised Kindergartners needed headphones in the classroom, I wasn't quite sure why the needed that."
She also, along with buying everything on the list, was asked to write a $15 check for more school supplies.
Robyn Billig says, "I'm not really sure if that's because of the budget cuts this year or if it's a standard thing for my daughters school."
While it varies from school to school and grade to grade, these moms agree they're willing for the most part to chip in.
Robyn says, "As a parent, I'd be more than happy to help out any way that I could. If the teachers are asking for help, it's my daughter so certainly."
