BOSTON — Parents are waiting to see what the return to school will look like. What they do know is that supply lists will include masks.
"I am part of the crazy crowd preparing for back-to-school during COVID," said Laura Gelotte of Seekonk.
Gelotte and her daughter, Kamryn, run the Etsy shop, Wicked Popular Pillows, which now lists masks for sale.
"We have been getting some requests for kids' masks going back to school, so we're trying to keep on top of that," Kamryn Gelotte explained.
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Back-to-school shopping is expected to be more expensive this year.
According to the National Retail Federation, parents with children in elementary school plan to spend an average of nearly $790. That's up almost $100 from last year.
With the uncertainty of in-school instruction or the possibility of a hybrid, 63% of K-12 families plan to purchase a computer or some sort of electronics.
When it comes to traditional school supplies like notebooks and crayons, parents plan to spend more, averaging about $131.
Brenna and Eryn’s Etsy shop is called Krafts by Kenneys. The Amesbury sisters now make masks as well.
“We work with children,” said Brenna Kenney. “The more that kids like what they’re wearing, the more they are willing to wear it.”
Many school districts across the commonwealth plan to announce specific fall plans in August.
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