“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Son Elementary School Edition (Broadcast October 17, 2026)～ The school has 141 students. The children of Son Elementary School enjoy the rich natural surroundings and warm community exchange.

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs on FM Kurashiki every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

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

The October 17, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Sono Elementary School in Mabi, Kurashiki City.

Here are the lively voices of the children.

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

The information presented here is current as of the article’s publication in November 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” interviews sixth graders at the schools it visits to take a closer look at what makes their school special. Also worth noting is “District Pride,” which introduces the good things about the area and what the children like about it, as seen from an elementary school student’s perspective.

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

This time, the program visited Sono Elementary School in Mabi, Kurashiki City.

The children were quick to tell us what makes Sono Elementary School special.

About Sono Elementary School

First to introduce the school was Eito Kajitani.
He told us what makes Sono Elementary School special: it is surrounded by rich natural beauty and has a welcoming, close-knit community of 141 students across all grades.

The first thing he mentioned was that students in every grade neatly line up their shoes and slippers.
Not only are the shoes in the cubbies neatly arranged, but the restroom slippers are also straightened with both hands. Everyone makes an effort so the next person can use them comfortably.

The second thing that makes the school special is its mixed-grade groups, which give students the chance to interact with children in other grades.
Starting this year, the groups have been divided into red and white teams, allowing students to spend time with more friends at sports day and during playtime. Kajitani said, “What I’m proud of about this school is that we can all play together, regardless of our class or grade.”

Sono 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 love about Sono Elementary School and its district.

1. A place to encounter all kinds of wildlife! The rich natural environment that brings color to the school

What Yushin Shiraishi is proud of is the rich natural environment surrounding the school.
The school district has many rice fields, and the school song even includes words such as “Umairi no Mine” and “Suemasa River,” reflecting how the area has long been known for its abundant nature.

In addition to seeing a variety of wildlife nearby, including nutria, kingfishers, and fireflies, storks have even been spotted flying near the school and overhead in the past.

At Sono Elementary School, students can enjoy nature through all four seasons close to home. Shiraishi said, “I want us to continue cherishing and protecting this wonderful environment.”

2. Nishizono Shrine, a familiar presence even for the children

Next, Haruka Ishii introduced Nishizono Shrine, which has long been cherished by the local community. It is said to have been built in 1540, during the Muromachi period, and locals affectionately call it Hachiman-sama.

The shrine’s stone monument is inscribed with the writing of a famous calligraphy teacher, and many local residents gather for its autumn annual festival. The shrine is a familiar presence to everyone; on festival days, calligraphy written by children from Sono Elementary School is also displayed.

It is not simply a place with a long history; it is a warm place that local people continue to cherish and protect to this day.

3. School life supported by warm exchange with local residents

Finally, Kasumi Miyake told us that what she is proud of is the strong bonds among local residents.

In the Sono district, people of all ages, from elementary school students to older adults, enjoy events together, such as “Disaster Preparedness Day” and the “Three-Generation Autumn Festival.”

Another major highlight is that local residents directly support classes at the school. In sixth-grade home economics, for example, children learned how to use sewing machines and about disaster preparedness from local residents. The district is proud of the relationships in which children and adults support one another across generations and care deeply for one another.

The children at Sono Elementary School enjoy school life while experiencing warm exchange with local residents. Let’s continue to support them so that these community connections can grow.

Thank you to the children of Sono 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.

Twelve children took part in the interviews this time.
From professional athletes and architects to voice actors and hairdressers, it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

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

Thank you to the children of Sono Elementary School.