"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Episode of Fukuda Elementary School (Aired on June 6, 2026) ~ Delicious School Lunches and Abundant Nature. Children Growing Strong Like Pine Trees

"Gather! Elementary School Students" is broadcast every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM on FM Kurashiki.

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, you can once again feel the charm of the community.

In the broadcast on June 6, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School located in Higashizuka, Kurashiki City.

We will deliver the lively voices of the children.

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

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, 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 feel emotional, as children talk about their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always with them.

This time, we visited Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School located in Higashizuka, Kurashiki City.

The Charm of Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School was shared by the children right away.

About Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School

Established in 1873, Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023.
Aoshi Utsu and Mizuki Ukai shared plenty of information about the charm of the school.

The first charm is the symbol character, Karabatsu-kun.
It is modeled after a large pine tree located in front of the school gate, symbolizing the richness of nature as the color of the leaves changes with the seasons. It is a popular character that brings smiles to everyone and plays an important role in ensuring a safe environment, such as calling for safe walking in the hallways.

The second charm is the homemade warm school lunch made in the school's kitchen.
They actively engage in food-related initiatives, such as school lunch week where students can observe the cooking process and events to express gratitude to the cooks. Aoshi mentioned that he loves the crispy cutlet burger, while Mizuki shared her favorite, the refreshing frozen mandarin oranges.

The third charm is the cheerful greetings.
Sixth graders and volunteers stand at the school gate every morning to greet everyone, which helps create a lively atmosphere from the start of the day. They also focus on activities like the greeting project, where they encourage greetings among people passing by.

The fourth charm is the ability to think and act for themselves.
Through projects like the shoe alignment project, where they align the heels of their shoes, and the hallway walking festival, where they improve walking behavior in the hallways, they actively identify and address challenges in their daily lives.

The children of Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School are creating a healthy and enjoyable school life for themselves. They are growing every day through various projects and events.

Children of Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School Talk About "School & School District Pride"

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

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

3. Plenty of Play Areas: Parks for Children's Relaxation

Eiji Asahara proudly shared the numerous parks within the school district. He introduced several parks that serve as play areas for everyone.

"Rocket Park" features rocket-shaped playground equipment and a long slide, making it very enjoyable to climb up high and view the scenery. "Ishi Park" also has a long slide and a spacious area suitable for ball games like soccer. The most popular park, "7-chome Park," has a large area where everyone can enjoy games like tag and dodgeball to their heart's content.

After school, the children often make plans to meet up at a park, saying, "Which park should we gather at today?" This has become a daily joy for them.

2. The Kindness of Local People Who Watch Over Us Like Their Own Children

Next, Serika Sakoda shared her pride in the warmth of the local people.

The local people kindly say "Take care" and "Be careful" as the children head to school, watching over them as if they were their own children or grandchildren. Serika mentioned that thanks to the local people, she can attend school every day with peace of mind.

The local people cheer on the children like the school's symbol, Karabatsu-kun, saying "Do your best," and Serika expressed her love for this warm community.

The strong and warm bond with the local people is also a significant source of pride for the children.

1. A Nature-Rich Environment That Colors School Life

Finally, Yusuke Kosaka shared about the rich nature surrounding the school.

While the school district has industrial areas, stepping just a little further reveals a wealth of greenery. The school grounds feature a large pine tree that serves as a symbol and a health forest. The nature surrounding the school provides opportunities for play, such as searching for living creatures, and sometimes offers a relaxing environment surrounded by greenery.

Yusuke expressed, "I want to continue to cherish this green school district," conveying the message that it is a wonderful environment where one can feel nature even in the city.

Delicious homemade school lunches, rich nature, and warm interactions with local people. Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School provides an environment that nurtures both body and mind. We hope to continue watching over the children so they can grow up healthy and carefree.

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

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

The 11 children who participated in the interview shared their aspirations.
From professional athletes and carpenters to YouTubers, professional gamers, and makeup artists, imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

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

Thank you to everyone at Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School.