“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School Edition (Broadcast January 17, 2026)～The Lively Days of Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School, Surrounded by Its Symbol, the “Turtle”

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” is broadcast on FM Kurashiki every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m.

Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes the schools and their districts special, and to hear from children about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The January 17, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School in Tsurajima, Kurashiki City.

Here are the voices of these energetic children.

This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The editorial team at Haretoco General Incorporated Association edited and published it.

The information in this article was accurate when it was published in February 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.

FM Kurashiki’s “Gather Around! Elementary School Students”

On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” the hosts interview sixth graders at the schools they visit, taking a closer look at what makes their schools special. The program also features “district pride,” introducing the good things about the area and what the children like about it from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also brings you heartwarming interviews that may move even adults, as children talk about their exciting dreams for the future or express gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.

This time, the program visited Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School in Tsurajima, Kurashiki City. In 2026, the school had 264 students. Each grade has one or two classes, and the school is enveloped in a warm atmosphere.

The children were eager to tell us what makes Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School special.

Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School

The first to speak were Takahashi Kanna and Shiotsu Yuri. They shared plenty of things that make Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School special.

The school’s most prominent symbol is the “turtle,” which is also part of its name. Turtles can be found all over the school, and the children apparently get excited about a unique event called the “Great Turtle Relay” on Sports Day. What’s more, Kamejima Mountain can be seen from the classrooms, so the children go about their school lives under the watchful eye of turtles.

They also told us about the school’s important “four pillars.”.
“Greetings,” made while looking the other person in the eye; “lining up shoes,” to keep things tidy; “walking in the hallways” quietly; and “silent cleaning,” focusing on cleaning. These four practices have been upheld for many years, and they said they have become a tradition the school can be proud of.

“I want to do my best as a school leader so that the tradition of the four pillars continues,” the two said with determination, conveying their deep affection for their school.

Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School students share what makes their school and district special

Next, we’ll introduce what the children are proud of about their school and district.

Three children shared what they like about Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School and its district.

1. Kamejima Mountain, a symbol of the town

Tanaka Hyuga told us that the district’s symbol, “Kamejima Mountain,” is something he is proud of.

Seen from the classrooms, Kamejima Mountain is shaped like a turtle and is a familiar presence to the children. “It’s the thing we’re most proud of in our district,” Tanaka said. Spending their days under the watchful eye of Kamejima Mountain is something unique to Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School.

Kamejima Mountain is not only the school’s symbol, but also a symbol of the community.

2. A convenient town lined with many shops

Next to share was Hashimoto Shuma. He told us he was proud of the many shops in the area.

Around Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School, there are supermarkets, restaurants, shoe stores, and many other shops essential to daily life. Hashimoto said his favorite is McDonald’s.

He told us that the convenience of being able to shop without difficulty is a major point of pride for the district.

3. A hidden school mascot? Turtle-shaped classroom signs

The last to appear was Sasaki Reo, who spoke about the turtle-shaped classroom signs.

The signs (plaques) displaying class names at the entrances to each classroom are all shaped like cute turtles. Made as graduation projects, they have been passed down from one class to the next. “We want to take good care of these signs too,” Sasaki said.

This touch, with turtles incorporated into even the smallest details of the school, makes for a special sight you won’t find at other schools.

All the children spoke with such enthusiasm, giving us a glimpse of their lively school life. We hope they continue to grow and cherish their traditions, watched over by the turtle that symbolizes their community.

Thank you to everyone at Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

After hearing all about what makes the school special, we also asked the children about their dreams for the future.

Fourteen children answered our questions this time.
They talked about dreams of becoming boat racers, animators, nurses, and hairdressers. One child even shared the grand dream of “flying through the sky under my own power.” It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them all.

The children’s determination to take on challenges, driven by the things they love, gave us adults great courage and inspiration.

Thank you to everyone at Tsurajima Shinki Elementary School.