"Gather Around! Elementary School" Sogo Elementary School Edition (Broadcast on January 10, 2026) ~ Days at Sogo Elementary School Surrounded by Familiar Faces and the Changing Seasons of Nature

On FM Kurashiki, every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM, we broadcast "Gather Around! Elementary School Students".

The personality, Asuka Abe, visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to interview children who talk about the charm of their schools and school districts, as well as their big dreams. Through the genuine voices of the children, we can once again feel the charm of the community.

In the broadcast on January 10, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at "Gonai Elementary School" located in Hayashi, Kurashiki City.

We will deliver the lively voices of the children.

This article is a contributed piece by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It has been edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.

FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students"

In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we conduct direct interviews with sixth graders at the visited elementary schools, deeply exploring the charm of the schools everyone attends. Additionally, we highlight the "School District Pride," where children share the good and favorite aspects of their community from their perspective.

We will also present heartwarming interviews that make even adults' hearts swell, as children talk about their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always by their side.

This time, we visited Gonai Elementary School located in Hayashi, Kurashiki City. Gonai Elementary School has a history of over 150 years and continues to have warm interactions with the local community.

The charm of Gonai Elementary School was immediately shared by the children.

About Gonai Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Ikki Matsubashi. With friends watching over him, he presented confidently.

The first charm of Gonai Elementary School that Matsubashi mentioned was that it is surrounded by rich nature that has been cherished since ancient times. In an environment where many living creatures can be encountered, about 450 students enjoy their school life freely.

Additionally, the well-equipped facilities are also one of the charms. There is a spacious playground where everyone can have fun, and a library with about 9,000 books, creating an environment where both play and learning can thrive.

Furthermore, Matsubashi shared that Gonai Elementary School is active in community interactions.
They are said to be engaged in volunteer activities, such as picking up trash in the community and distributing food to the elderly, participating in countless activities.

Through volunteer activities, the number of familiar faces in the community increases, and a warm and rich community is being built.

This school introduction conveyed the charm of Gonai Elementary School, which values the bond between nature and people.

Children of Gonai Elementary School Talk About "School & School District Pride"

Next, we will introduce the "strong points of the school and school district" that the children are proud of.

Three children presented the charms of Gonai Elementary School and the school district in a ranking format.

1. A Variety of Events Full of Smiles in the Community

The third place announced by Tomoe Miyahara is "Diverse Events and Interaction with Community Members".

At Gonai Elementary School, there are events such as "Manabosai" and "Gonai Festival," where people from the community can enjoy new sports and learn about the history of Gonai.

The summer festival held at Gonai Junior High School is particularly lively.
Students from Gonai Elementary School, as well as teachers and parents, participate to enliven the festival, making it an important community event. Miyahara looks forward to buying her favorite cotton candy every year while waiting in line at the summer festival.

It's a great charm of Gonai that not only friends but also many people of all ages can interact.

2. The Warmth of Community Members as a Source of Support

The second place pride shared by Kurumi Katayama is "The Kindness of Community Members".

In Gonai, community members warmly watch over the safety of children during their commutes to and from school. When they pass by, they greet the children with smiles, saying "Good morning" or "Welcome back," which gives them a lot of energy every day.

It is because of these daily interactions that children can attend school with peace of mind. The community members must also be warmly watching over the growth of the children from first grade to sixth grade over the six years.

3. Rich Nature Enjoyable in Every Season

The honorable first place was introduced by Kotona Izumi, who shared about "The Rich Nature Surrounding the School".

There are mountains around Gonai Elementary School, allowing students to feel the changes of the four seasons closely every day.

In spring, both the school and the mountains are in full bloom with cherry blossoms, creating a perfect view for the entrance ceremony welcoming new students. In summer, the lower grades enjoy catching insects in the vibrant green mountains, and in autumn, first graders can be seen going to a nearby shrine to find acorns and ginkgo leaves while enjoying the autumn foliage.

Because they are surrounded by rich nature, Izumi says they can spend each day with a calm mind and in good health. The nature of Gonai nurtures the children's five senses and enriches their daily lives.

The children attending Gonai Elementary School are growing straight in an environment blessed with people and nature. I hope they continue to have a school life filled with smiles while cherishing the strong bonds with the community.

Thank you, everyone at Gonai Elementary School.

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

After learning about the school's charms, we also asked everyone about their future dreams.

The 16 children who answered the interview included future farmers, nail artists, makeup artists, elementary school teachers, and chefs who make people smile with their food. Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

The sight of children challenging themselves with "what they love" as their driving force gave us adults great courage and inspiration.

Thank you, everyone at Gonai Elementary School.

Conclusion

In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we will continue to deliver the charms of schools and communities through the voices of children.

Every time we visit an elementary school, we feel that the children are growing every day with the warm support of the teachers and community members.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the local children so that they can grow up healthy and happily.