"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Ashitaka Elementary School Edition (Aired on August 2, 2025) ~ The Charm of Ashitaka Elementary School, Where the Circle of the Community Expands with Bright Greetings and Smiles, and Everyone Nurtures a Kind Heart

On FM Kurashiki, every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM, we broadcast "Gather! 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 children's genuine voices, we can rediscover the charm of the community.

In the broadcast on August 2, 2025 (Saturday), the situation at "Ashitaka Elementary School" in Sasaochi, Kurashiki City was introduced.

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! Elementary School Students"

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

They talk about their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always with them... We will also deliver heartwarming interviews that can move even adults to tears.

This time, the visited school is Ashitaka Elementary School.
The children have deep connections with the community and are living their school lives energetically while being watched over every day.

We asked the children to share the charm of Ashitaka Elementary School.

About Ashitaka Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Gaina Matsuda. Although he mentioned feeling nervous, he seemed full of motivation.

Let's hear from Matsuda about the five characteristics of Ashitaka Elementary School.

The first is the practice of greeting with a smile.
They start the day by cheerfully exchanging greetings of "Good morning!" which helps them begin the day on a positive note.

The second is thorough cleaning.
When it's cleaning time, the students quietly move to their cleaning spots and clean every corner. As a result, the school is always kept sparkling clean.

The third is helping each other across grades.
It is said that a culture of gently helping younger friends in need has taken root, especially among the older students. A warm heart that supports friends in trouble is being nurtured.

The fourth is being good at switching between activities.
During discussion time, they actively exchange opinions, and when it's time to focus, they become quiet. Because everyone listens attentively while nodding, even those who are not good at speaking can comfortably express their opinions.

And the fifth is the original character "Sasarin" unique to Ashitaka Elementary School.

Based on the name "Sasarin," the sports festival is named "Sasarinpic," and it is loved by everyone. It seems that the name of this character was decided by everyone at the school.

At the lively and free-spirited Ashitaka Elementary School, the attitude of having a balance and the kind heart of helping each other were evident.

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

Next, we will introduce the "School & District Pride" that the children are proud of.

Three impressive prides that reflect the deep connection with the community were shared by three elementary school students.

1. The Safety and Smiles of Children Under the Watchful Eyes of the Community

Gento Takeuji proudly talks about the warm watchfulness of the community members.

Community members stand at the crosswalks early in the morning, holding flags to manage traffic, allowing the children to safely commute to school.

Additionally, regarding school events such as summer festivals, community members cooperate, enabling the children to enjoy the events with peace of mind.

Takeuji values greeting with energy as a way to express gratitude to the community members. Greetings energize the community and are a wonderful gift to convey appreciation.

2. The Warmth and Rich Nature of the Ashitaka District

Tae Nakamura shared about the warmth and rich nature of the Ashitaka District.

The warmth of the district that Nakamura feels comes from community members gently saying "Welcome back" and "Hello" during school commute times. Nakamura actively exchanges greetings with community members, and it is conveyed that this interaction creates the warmth of the community.

Additionally, the majestic "Ashitaka Mountain" visible from Ashitaka Elementary School is challenging to climb, but once you reach the summit, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the region and feel the richness of nature.

Nakamura describes this area, where the warmth of people and nature coexist, as "a place that has been cherished and protected by the local people since ancient times" and expresses a desire to convey the goodness of the district to many people in the future.

3. Strong Bonds Cultivated with the Community

Finally, Yusaku Shibutani shared that the good relationship between students and community members is something to be proud of at Ashitaka Elementary School.

Shibutani felt the closeness for two reasons.

The first is the daily greetings exchanged with community members every morning. He says that greeting makes the day start off fun and brightens the mood.

The second is that when playing at the Health and Welfare Plaza next to the school, sometimes community members join in the fun. Shibutani mentions enjoying activities like playing catch together.

This was a unique pride of Ashitaka Elementary School, where the closeness and strong bonds with community members can be felt. Daily interactions nurture the children's kind hearts and support a healthy school life.

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

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

Twenty students responded to the interview.
The dreams shared included aspirations to become professional athletes, voice actors, patissiers, and kindergarten teachers, all of which were unique. Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

Their determination to challenge themselves driven by "what they love" delivered warm courage and inspiration to us adults as well.

Thank you, everyone at Ashitaka Elementary School.