"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Fukuda Elementary School Edition (Aired on June 21, 2025) ~ Weaving the Future at a School with Over 150 Years of History! Dreams Imagined by Children

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 voices, we can rediscover the charm of the community.

In the broadcast on June 21, 2025 (Saturday), the situation at Second Fukuda Elementary School 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, we highlight the "District Pride," where children share the good and favorite aspects of their community from their perspective.

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

This time, the visited school is Second Fukuda Elementary School, founded in 1873. It is an elementary school with over 150 years of history, and as of 2025, the number of students exceeds 800. When it celebrated its 150th anniversary, a mascot character named "Happy-chan," conceived by the children, was also born.

We quickly had the children talk about the charm of Second Fukuda Elementary School.

About Second Fukuda Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Tatsumi Ginga. Although he seemed unable to hide his nervousness, saying, "My heart feels like it's going to stop", he presented confidently.

According to Tatsumi, when you enter the main gate of Second Fukuda Elementary School, you are first welcomed by a stone monument inscribed with the school motto, "Bright, Kind, and Strong". Recently, they have also been focusing on "finding one's strengths," and an initiative called "Friendship Week" has started to convey kindness.

They write down their friends' good points and feelings of gratitude on a card called a Heart Card and share them with each other. Tatsumi himself said, "My good point is that I am cheerful".

The teachers at Second Fukuda Elementary School are bright and energetic, and they teach lessons in an easy-to-understand manner.

Furthermore, community volunteers watch over the children during their commutes and provide learning support, making it a wonderful school that is warmly watched over by the entire community.

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

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

Three elementary school students shared three impressive prides that reveal the deep connection with the community.

1. Life Park Kurashiki, Where You Can Experience Stars and Science

Koh Nakahara proudly mentioned the existence of the complex facility "Life Park Kurashiki" located near the school.

Life Park Kurashiki has a science center and a library center, and the science center that Nakahara introduced has facilities where you can enjoy science exhibits, movies, and a planetarium.

At Second Fukuda Elementary School, they visit the planetarium during science classes in the fourth grade, and Nakahara shared, "There were so many things I learned for the first time, like the names of stars, the movements of stars, and constellations, and it was very educational".

Additionally, what Nakahara found most amazing about Life Park Kurashiki was that you can see a rocket engine. He seemed to be impressed by its power.

Not only during school lessons but also on holidays and after school, it serves as a important community hub where children can learn and play happily with friends and family.

2. Kind-hearted Community Members Who Support Us

Meina Koide mentioned the kind-hearted community members and volunteers who support the school as her pride.

She talked about how many people support them, such as the "Child Development Department" that watches over them for safe commutes and the "Standing Committee" that organizes various events.

Thanks to such community support, she said that they can have various experiences at Second Fukuda Elementary School.

Koide recalled the "mandarin orange picking" they did in the third-grade social studies class and the "rice farming" experience in the fifth grade, expressing gratitude to the local farmers for the valuable experiences.

Her words, "Being able to have so many experiences is thanks to the community members. I love the community members who support Second Fukuda Elementary School", convey a strong bond with the community.

3. The Highlight of School Events: The Autumn Event

Kasumi Noguchi wants to highlight the "Autumn Event," a school event held every autumn at Second Fukuda Elementary School.

The Autumn Event features festival stalls such as shooting games and super ball scooping, with the cooperation of parents and other community adults. It seems that not only students but also community members enjoy it together.

The schoolyard is filled with delicious food stalls, and especially at the end of the event, fireworks are launched, making it a festival full of charm for the children.

Noguchi shared, "I also went to the Autumn Event last year and made fun memories with my friends", talking about how this event adds color to school life.

Voices of Children Looking to the Future

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

Nineteen students responded to the interview.
The dreams they shared were diverse, including achievements in sports, creative jobs, and feelings for their families. Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

Their determination to challenge themselves with "things they love" delivered warm courage and inspiration to us adults as well.

Thank you, everyone at Second Fukuda Elementary School.