A marketing tool at Holy Spirit School in Annandale may result in discounts for families currently paying tuition. A nine-minute promotional video called “Holy Spirit School: Inspiring Minds, Igniting Hearts” recently was distributed by the school to parents in the hopes they will pass the video along to friends and families unfamiliar with the school.

According to Principal Sarah O’Fallon, if a new family enrolls at Holy Spirit and credits the video, the family that passed along the video will receive a $300 rebate on tuition for the coming year.

“The feedback from the parents has been great,” O’Fallon said. “The purpose was marketing to our own families, but then also raising the awareness that they are a primary spokesperson for the school.”

The video, which was distributed in DVD format, also is posted on YouTube and linked to the school’s website. O’Fallon said she hopes parents will share it with families they may work with or their children may play sports with — anyone who might be interested in Catholic education.

“The more they share, the more it helps out the school,” O’Fallon said.
The video, which was contracted out, showcases students, teachers and parents.

“It provides a glimpse into the physical building as well as the interactions that take place on a day-to-day basis,” O’Fallon said.

Using still photos, video, and interviews with parents, students and faculty, the video covers the spiritual formation, academics and social life provided at Holy Spirit.

“We’re not just focusing on one aspect of the children’s development, but really looking at all the different factors,” O’Fallon said.

Kate Pineda, mother of third-grader Rachel and kindergartener Richie, appeared on camera along with her husband, Richard. They participated because they believe in the school and “want nothing more than to see it continue to grow and thrive,” Kate said.

“I hope (the video) provides a true sense of the community spirit at Holy Spirit,” she said. “There’s a very strong sense of community, support and love among the school families. I hope that it portrays that true image of what the school offers.”

Developing a video marketing tool is different from anything they had tried, O’Fallon said. She’s hoping the video will help parents selecting a school from afar — such as military families — and to get an idea of what life is like at Holy Spirit.

“This is an avenue that (gives them) a glimpse,” she said. “It’s been a fabulous tool for really saying in a nut shell what Holy Spirit is.”