CHESTERTOWN — The lilting chorus of Cuban folk song "Guantanamera" filled the cafeteria of H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown Thursday, Sept. 21.

Local resident and artist Fredy Granillo strummed his guitar as he taught the song to students that morning as part of the Celebración del mes del la Herencia Hispana in the county.

The Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month was brought into schools during September through partnerships with the Kent County Local Management Board and the Kent Cultural Alliance.

The two organizations were joined by others in holding a variety of community events including art programs and a block party centered around Hispanic heritage.

"The Kent Cultural Alliance was honored to work with the Kent County Local Management Board and E(Ñ)E: Alianza para la Cultura y Comunidad Hispana, to create a month-long celebration of the contributions of Kent County's Latino community," said John Schratwieser, executive director of the Kent Cultural Alliance. "Celebrating those who contribute so much to our economic health and our quality of life, and doing that through art, music, food, dance and the written word, is paramount to the mission of the KCA."

For Granillo, who also is a Kent County Public Schools parent, getting to share his family's cultural touchstones with students is a valuable experience.

Granillo grew up in El Salvador. He and his wife Kent County Local Management Board Director Rosemary Ramsey Granillo moved to Chestertown when their son, a fourth grader at Garnet, was 2.

Granillo found the community friendly and inviting, but he still faced hurdles — first being the language. He learned English and he helped his son with the language.

There were additional cultural differences for Granillo as well, such as food, and he sees other families having similar experiences when they move here.

"I was lucky because I had the opportunity to visit Chestertown first," Granillo said. "So knew about the artistic community in town and that was something that made me feel like I could live here."

For students who move to Kent County from other countries, school can pose a big challenge.

Beyond learning math standards, science, social studies and other subjects, they also have a new language to learn — and Kent County Public Schools has staff members dedicated to helping those English language learners.

Granillo said programs like Hispanic Heritage Month are important for both students born and raised here and those who have moved to the area from other countries.

It gives those students from other countries an opportunity and a space to share their culture with their new peers.

Granillo spoke about how celebrations in other countries are often built around specific foods, activities and games — not unlike the American custom of eating turkey on Thanksgiving.

"I think it's really important for schools to have a space where these kids can show other kids what they like to do in their countries, because that gives you a perspective on the world," he said. "When you are a kid, you need to understand the world is more than Chestertown or the town where you live."

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month in Kent County Public Schools, there were lessons and school announcements teaching students about the culture.

Galena Elementary School, for example, held a daily Hispanic Heritage contest, with questions that students could answer by looking at information posted throughout the building.

Teacher Tracey Kendall-Parent works with local English language learners in Galena Elementary School. She took to the morning announcements throughout the month to provide information about countries where students' families are from.

"I think that's a beautiful experience for everybody, not just for the kids," Granillo said of the Hispanic heritage lessons. "And it's going to make these kids from other countries feel like they live in a space where they can celebrate their culture and their identity too."