PLATTSBURGH — In response to the closure of the Bright Beginnings child care facility at the Plattsburgh YMCA in March, Seton Catholic School has opened an additional pre-K classroom to support local families.
The YMCA’s Bright Beginnings license was suspended in March, leaving many families in urgent need of a safe, reliable educational environment for their young children. Since that time, Seton Catholic has welcomed nine former Bright Beginnings students, representing approximately one third of all Pre K aged children impacted by the closure, according to a press release.
The new pre-K classroom officially opened April 20 following the hiring of an additional teacher.
“We recognized immediately how disruptive and stressful this situation was for families,” Seton Catholic Principal Mary Forbes said in the press release. “At Seton Catholic, we believe in responding with compassion and action. Opening this additional classroom ensures children are in a caring, safe and academically supportive environment when families need it most.”
While the size of the additional class alone was not large enough to financially justify opening a second classroom, community support made the expansion possible.
Donations made in memory of Sister Stephanie Frenette helped offset startup costs and allowed the classroom to open immediately.
Frenette, who passed away Nov. 3, 2025, played a pivotal role in early childhood education in the Plattsburgh community. Decades ago, she was the driving force behind the opening of the first pre-K program at St. Peter’s School, one of Seton Catholic’s legacy schools. Her lifelong commitment to faith-filled education and young learners continues to shape Seton Catholic’s mission today.
“Opening this classroom is a living tribute to Sister Steph’s legacy,” Jeremy Eppler, senior director of strategic growth, said in the release. “She believed deeply in the importance of early childhood education, and it is fitting that her memory helped make this possible for so many families.”
Additional financial support was raised at Seton Catholic’s annual gala April 18, providing funds to expand the pre-K program into the future.
Seton Catholic is also evaluating extending its pre-K program into the summer to provide continuity of quality education and care after the end of the school year.
Enrollment for pre-K through 12th grade is open until June 14.
Tuition information can be found at setonknights.org/admissions/tuition-rates.
Financial assistance is available for eligible families.
For questions or more information, contact Seton Catholic at 518-561-4031 or sgingrich@setonknights.org.
Families seeking a caring, safe, and academically rigorous learning environment are encouraged to contact the school for more information.