Norwich — Preschool teachers at the Norwich Early Learning Center were briefly concerned Thursday that seven loud motorcycles would scare the 45 preschool students gathered in the schoolyard to greet them.

While a few children covered their ears, most greeted the bikers with cheers and shouts of “thank you” as they crowded around.

The riders were local members of the International Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club, police officers from Norwich and other departments, and the thanks from the students and staff acknowledged the group's donation of $2,000 Thursday to pay for a new security fence around the rear schoolyard.

The group held its annual pig roast fundraiser in late June and chose the preschool at 30 Case St. as the recipient. The school previously had been used as a special education high school, but now houses 60 preschool students.

“The members of the (southeastern Connecticut) Chapter worked extremely hard to put the event together this summer to make this a successful cause,” Norwich Police Officer Michael J. McKinney, chapter president, wrote in a letter hand-delivered to school administrators with the check Thursday morning. “We hope that this would be a start to get other organizations and the community involved with the security of our children.”

The fence will be installed next week, with the remaining funds currently projected to come from the school's capital budget. A total cost was not available Thursday.

Lynn DePina, director of early learning for Norwich Public Schools, gave the riders a tour of the area where the 4-feet-high chain link fence, with double gates for maintenance, will be erected.

The fence will surround a wooded park and cleared area where a new playground is to be installed. The center received a $77,900 grant for playground equipment.

A gutted school bus frame, now located at the edge of the parking lot, will be a main feature of the new playground.

DePina thanked McKinney, a school resource officer, and said the idea started when he visited the school and talked about the fence project.

Superintendent of Schools Abby Dolliver said the young children likely didn't understand why the officers visited the school Thursday, but their parents and school officials passed along the thanks they will feel “when (the children) are safe in their playground.”

c..bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday