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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The streets around Ottumwa High School were shut down Thursday afternoon for the first ever Bulldog Block Party.

The party replaced the traditional student orientation. Students and their parents were treated to dinner, plus live music from the Ottumwa High School Marching Band. Members of the student council KTVO spoke with were excited about the block party. 

“We have all types of things out here today. We have the band playing, we have the cheerleaders, and every club is out here at their own table. We also have the boys hitting the car for the Valley High School team,” said Brianna, who is a senior at Ottumwa High School.

Taylor, who is a sophomore at Ottumwa High School, told KTVO that she was excited about the community work coming up.

“I like to go to the football games and work them, it’s pretty fun and I like to be apart of the community because we do high rises and it is really fun,” Taylor said.

Students and their parents also met with their teachers for the upcoming school year. Administrators with the district say that they were very pleased with the turnout.