Israel’s First Day of School
Israel had a wonderful first day of school! His first day of kindergarten was also Derick’s first day of his last year of law school! Things are complicated this year by the pandemic, but we are excited to be getting into a new routine and new normal.
Samuel started preschool at home with mommy and also got to start wearing big boy underwear as we’ve gotten serious about potty training this week.
We hope you’ll enjoy this video of Israel’s first day back to school and check out more videos on our YouTube channel (Dillard Family Official).
How are things where you live? Did you choose schooling in person, virtual, homeschool or other? Comment below.
After school popsicle 
Derick and Israel’s first day of school
Wow, Derick’s kindergarten year was from 1994-95. I seen this recently. So what happened to Israel now?
awww love the new video! thank you for sharing his first day and giving us a glimpse of family life 🙂
Jill- do you wish you would’ve experienced public school?
🙂 Glad you enjoyed it! No, I (Jill) really did enjoy learning at home. Sending Israel to school was just the best option for us this year and we are loving it.
Awe, that is so exciting. I hope he loves school!!
He is loving it! Thanks.
Precious, precious family! Loved the back to school video. Y’all are wonderful parents. God bless!
Aww. Thanks for your encouragement. Had fun giving y’all a little glimpse into our day.
You can hardly tell the difference between Derick and Israel’s first day of school pictures; they look SO much alike! #twins #likefatherlikeson ☺️
Right?! Crazy how much they look alike!
Oh my stars, what a wonderful teacher Israel has and how special of her to send that video. Kindergarten teachers are such a special group of loving people I hope he had a fantastic first day of kindergarten!! ❤️
She’s super sweet!
Looks like a great first day! Our district is all virtual for the first two months. Anxiously awaiting the day they can go back full time safely.
What is the name of the book you used with Sam for the letters? It looks great!
It’s part of the Abeka preschool curriculum. 🙂
Oh my goodness! I didn’t even pay attention to the pictures bcz I thought they were all Israel’s pictures till I read a comment here!
Such a fun way to start the first day of school.
Love your stories and your family!
Keep them coming!!
God bless y’all!
I’m so glad he enjoyed school! We have two boys as well (ages 6 and almost 1 year). Our 6 year old just started 1st grade under a “hybrid” model (he goes to school in the morning and rest of the day is learning at home). It’s been a different routine for sure, but so far its going well. Kids are more resilient than we realize 🙂
Right? I’m glad Israel is only in Kindergarten so he doesn’t really have anything to compare to. lol
I am very happy for u and ur family for leading ur life the way u want . God Bless you all . I hope ur children continue with regular schooling. Take care , Mary Keim
You are so gracious and polite on social media even with all the haters attacking you guys ..I couldnt do it!! But I love seeing you guys independent of the rest of the family and standing up for your own personal beliefs as your own family and not letting the drama all over the media with your dad and hubby and all the YouTube commentary channels turn you into negative ppl .. it takes a strong woman to rise above it all and keep going with such a positive attitude especially during such a touchy time..you are your own person seperate of the family but still loving and respectful of them..keep it up its very encouraging to alot of us that can relate to the dynamics within our own families
Aww. Thanks for the encouragement.
My girls are graduated but the schools here in our town are doing a hybrid learning. That means that one group of students go in person on Mondays and Wednesdays and one group goes in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On the children’s “off days” they do online lessons.
Cool, yeah. Our state has the completely virtual option or completely in person option with possibility for everyone going virtual later if things change with the virus.
It’s so cute to see Israel excited about going to school, but aren’t you worried about things like bullying and school violence? I don’t mean to sound negative, but I know a lot of people I grew up with and went to public school with are homeschooling their kids to protect them. Bullying was bad enough when I was a child, but these days it’s almost unbearable. Children are killing themselves after being bullied. Are you sure public school is a good idea?
Yes, he is very excited. 🙂 And thanks for your concern. Yes, we are concerned about those things no matter where our kids go to school. We are doing our best to remain aware and we continue to have open conversations with our kids about things like that and are still very involved. We are so thankful for the great schools in our area and know that this is what is best for our family right now.
Hello, G. Bullying and abuse can occur in the home as well. Public school is a good way for kids to learn social skills and meet all kinds of interesting people who expand their understanding of the world. It’s a fallacy to think all kids are safer at home.
Glad Israel had a great day! He looks very happy! Keep up the good work! God Bless!
Awww, I too was homeschooled and am really grateful for choosing to send my girls to school. In California many counties are required for online learning, including the one we live in. So my girls are doing virtual instruction. They’re okay with it, but miss being in a classroom. Love watching your stuff!
Israel and Samuel might enjoy the “We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” book by Ryan T. Higgins. I found a copy at a used bookstore a while back, and now it’s one of my favorite books to read my students on the first day 🙂 so cute and funny.
I’m putting the amazon link before, but here’s a read-aloud video if you wanted to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5f7ULVfLEE
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DB96T77/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
“School’s First Day of School” is also a really cute book, about the building being nervous before all the kids and teachers come.
**before not below…that will bug me if I don’t fix it!! Anyway, congrats to Israel…starting Kindergarten and meeting new friends is such a special time!
Two weeks ago I sent by baby boy off to his last first day of school. So far all three of my kids are having a great year at school I am thankful I made the decision to send them.
Thanks for sharing! Im so glad Isreal had a great first day! We are in Ontario, Canada and we have a bit of both worlds going on in our house hold when it comes to school. My son in Grade 8 will return to school full time on September 15th and my oldest in Grade 9 will attend every other day for one class and do the rest online from home in the afternoon and then full day online on the other days. Thanks again for sharing and stay safe and healthy!
What a crazy year to be a kindergartener! Kids are so resilient though! My kiddos are in 2nd and 5th. They went back a week and a half ago. I was worried for them but they have adapted to the changes so well. Wishing you a wonderful year!
OH MY GOSH! That is the cutest video!!! That is an awesome teacher. I love it!
You guys are just the sweetest family and I think you’re glowing with happiness. I think it’s wonderful that your family has carved out a path that’s right for you even if it includes things that are different from what you grew up with. Happiness, love, and your faith in God is clearly in the forefront of your life decisions and it shows. It’s just wonderful to see you all grow as a beautiful family. Keep sharing! I’ve watched you from your very first TV special and I can’t wait to see what’s in your future! (And on my goodness, Israel looks exactly like his dad in those first day of school pictures!!! Keep up the good work Mama Jill!!