30 Days of Thanks 2025

Hudson Montessori has so much to be thankful for as we enter this year's Thanksgiving season. We are most grateful for our dedicated staff, outstanding students, and supportive community. 

In November, we asked our students to share their reflections on this year's schoolwide theme, Tapestry of Cultures. We wanted to know what our children are thankful for regarding their own cultures/family heritage—from traditions and celebrations to foods, language, and attire. We asked them:

"What from your family's culture or heritage are you thankful for?"

“I am thankful for my Korean dress, Hannok, and Korean food like kimchi, miyukook and ramen.”

-Dayoon Y. (Age 6)

“I’m thankful for yummy Indian food like dosa and chappati! I love when my family dances to fun Indian songs, and we wear colorful clothes. My grandma tells me stories from India, and they make me happy!”

-Calvin M. (Age 4)

“I am thankful for my close knit extended family.”

-Tara S. (Age 6)

“I am thankful for the sweets we make at home before Diwali.”

-Ansh S. (Age 4)

”I love the celebration of Holi and playing with colors with family and friends.”

-Naitri S. (Age 7)

“I am thankful for my culture’s food, for traveling, and for hearing so many cool languages!“

-Yuvi B. (Age 8)

“I am thankful for my Nani and Nani (grandparents) who have a beautiful heart.”

-Tanya B. (Age 4)

“I'm thankful for our family traditions! We love making yummy Indian food together, like samosas and curries, and celebrating special occasions with our family. I also love wearing pretty Indian clothes and dancing to Bollywood songs!”

-Sia M. (Age 7)

“I love the sweet Indian desserts like ladoos and sheera, and wearing bindis and bangles (accessories). I love my stuffie version of lord Ganesha to hug and carry around with me.”

-Advaita D. (Age 2)

“The amazing and vibrant culture and its divine food.”

-Vihaan A. (Age 12)

“I am thankful for my Indian culture because it teaches me to respect others and stay close to my family. I love celebrating festivals like Diwali/Holi wearing colorful clothes, and eating delicious food. Our traditions make me feel happy and proud of who I am.”

-Ayaan J. (Age 8)

“I am grateful for celebrating my birthday with cake with my family!”

-Zaydan A. (Age 6)

“I’m thankful for my Indian Hindu culture because it teaches me to respect my elders and listen to their wisdom. I also love the delicious food we eat, like roti, dal, and curries. I love celebrating festivals like Diwali and Holi with my family. We light diyas, eat sweets like Ladoos, and pray together. Our culture reminds us to be thankful, share food, and always show respect to our parents and grandparents.”

-Jai R. (Age 8)

“I'm thankful for speaking Russian with my family, Russian food "blinchiki" (crepes), and for the way we celebrate New Year. On New Year we put up the tree and exchange gifts.”

-Leon L. (Age 9)

“I am thankful for all the yummy food from my culture that I get to enjoy!”

-Miraya R. (Age 7)

“I'm thankful for pie, flowers, eating food, and coloring together as a family.”

-Rudra R. (Age 4)

“I am grateful for all the foods from my mixed family background, including plantanos maduros and empanadas from my Colombian side, pierogies and kielbasa from my Polish side, and Irish soda bread from my dad's side of the family.”

-Phoenix B. (Age 8)

“I’m thankful to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. A tradition that we do is every night for Hanukkah is that we get a new book as a gift.”

-Jaxon L. (Age 8)

“My favorite family tradition is family Halloween costumes.”

-Lenox L. (Age 5)

“I am thankful for the food from India like roti, jalebi, dosa and festivals like Holi and Diwali.”

-Maira K. (Age 6)

“I am thankful for my family’s Indian culture. I love the colorful festivals like Diwali and Holi, where we light lamps, eat sweets and play with colors. I am also thankful for the yummy Indian food my family makes. I like that culture teaches me to be kind and care for others.”

-Tanay K. (Age 6)

“I’m thankful for the yummy food and my family's cultural food.”

-Maddox B. (Age 13)

“This year, Samar is thankful for his family and his Indian heritage. Recently, our family celebrated a big Indian wedding where he got to meet many of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He loved wearing his traditional Indian clothes and being part of all the dancing and celebrations. He also enjoyed celebrating Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. We dressed in traditional clothes, decorated our home, and did a small prayer ceremony together. His grandparents visited from India and shared stories with him, especially the tale of the Ramayan, which is about good triumphing over evil and is connected to the Diwali celebration. Through these experiences, Samar has felt thankful for his family, his culture, and the traditions that connect him to his roots in India.”

-Samar S. (Age 3)

“I am thankful for the blessings and the opportunity to wear vibrant attire during the celebration of India's rich cultural festivals.”

-Anush S. (Age 6)

“I am thankful for the graphic novels I have about Hindu myths like The Ramayana and The Mahabharata because they are fun to read.”

-Aadi V. (Age 9)

“I am thankful for the culture of my family because my parents always celebrate holidays in a very fun way, and I always have a lot of fun. That's why I really love my family's culture and many different holidays.”

-Viaan (Age 9)

“I am thankful for Hanukkah because we get presents, sing songs, eat latkes, open presents, and party!”

-Leo B. (Age 10)

“I am Hispanic and I’m thankful because my dad is Hispanic so that means I’m Hispanic. I love my heritage because of what I am so I can’t change and that means we have a lot of celebrations and stuff.”

-Maddox G. (Age 10)

“I am thankful for the heritages shared with me I am thankful for I am Jewish I am also thankful for all the traditions, and thankful for being Asian.”

-Asher H. (Age 10)

“I am thankful for the food (samosas), yoga, literature, dance, and festivals.”

-Nandini R. (Age 8)

“From my culture or heritage, I am thankful that they survived through the struggles of World War I, World War II, and many other wars and famine.”

-Samarth (Age 11)

“I wrote in a poem format:

I am thankful for the Indian food and spices

and how hard cooks work to make mango lassi with ices

I am thankful for German stories and nighttime songs

and how it teaches me my wrongs

I am thankful for my annual Germany visits

and the coffee with biscuits

I am thankful for the fabulous smells

and temples with ringing bells

I am thankful for my heritage

and of course, my parentage”

-Nina S. (Age 10)

“I wrote in a poem format.

I am thankful for the Indian songs,

Bringing hope and happiness,

The songs that right your wrongs,

Trying to bring love and kindness.

I am thankful for the long stories,

Reviving old legends,

I love listening to the glories,

And tales about the heavens.

Finally, I am thankful for the nutritious food, Tasty and full of spices,

That always helps my mood,

All year round it is really nice.”

-Shreshta K. (Age 9)

“I am thankful for the yummy Indian food, kurta (my Indian dress) and all the wonderful Indian mythological stories that I love to listen to.”

-Zayn H. (Age 5)

“From my family's heritage, I’m thankful for the food.”

-Luna W. (Age 9)

“I wrote mine in a poem format:

I am thankful for the spicy, tangy and sweet flavors,

and for hearing exciting myths that make me braver.

I enjoy Diwali, a celebration

and I stand tall, loving my nation.

Happy and joyful, listening to family stories, about finding your path, hardships, and glories. Tasting my culture,

and drinking mango lassi from a pitcher.

I love the annual visits to India,

and playing games there with family about trivia.

I am thankful for all I receive,

and thankful for a heritage where I believe.”

-Kaavta C. (Age 10)

“I am thankful for the meals on my plate everyday. I am thankful for the holidays I celebrate with my family and friends. I am thankful for my grandma’s delicious food that she puts her time and love into. I am thankful for my hardworking parents.”

-Anaya C. (Age 9)

“I am thankful for my mom because I am Latino and I am thankful for my mom.”

-Ariah T. (Age 10)

“I am thankful for the food.”

-Luna W. (Age 9)

“I am thankful for Diwali and firecrackers!”

-Aanvi S. (Age 4)

“I am thankful for the brave Pilgrims who traveled across the ocean to the New World and made our country possible. I am also grateful that I get to travel to Turkey every year and visit my babaanne and eat köfte and döner. Happy Thanksgiving!”

-Andrew U. (Age 7)