SPECIAL EDITION: Lockdown Yesterday

Dear Canyon Hills High School Families,

We are writing to share an update on yesterday’s campus safety concern and to provide further details on what we know and what we communicated to your students today.

As part of our commitment to transparency, we want you to know that, through our continued collaboration with SDUSD School Police and SDPD, a threatening phone call was received at the office. We want to commend our students and staff who swiftly followed direct instructions to keep each other safe as a community. We also want to thank our School Police Department for their swift and thorough response.

While this is still an active investigation with our School Police Department and SDPD, we want to provide you with more details on what transpired yesterday.

• On 1/20/26 in the afternoon, school staff received a threatening phone call. The office staff addressed the call within seconds, taking it seriously, and decided to lock down until it could be determined that the threat was not credible.

• Students were in lockdown for the fourth period, which extended into 5^th as we worked to confirm credibility. Once it was determined that it was not credible, we held students in fourth until the bell, at which point they went straight to sixth period.

• On 1/20/26, it was decided that, because the threat was non-credible, to continue practices and games as scheduled. Several administrators (including me) stayed on campus in various areas not only to show visibility but also to provide a presence so people felt safe.

• In addition, after incidents like these, two things often occur. We have a meeting after school with the staff, and they also need to fill out a very detailed required form that includes any information or feedback, as well as whether anything worked, such as their radio. Once we have those forms, we handle them within 24 hours.

• We want to thank every single parent in this community. Many of you came to pick up your students, and everyone was kind and respectful, given the tense situation. When you can do that, our job becomes easier, so we can make sure people are safe and accounted for. We are truly grateful to you.

• Your students received a PA announcement from me this morning, as I always do after these incidents. The message read:

Dear Canyon Hills Students—

This is Dr. Renfree

Yesterday, a phone call prompted a lockdown. Given the times we are living in, as a principal, it is my duty to keep you safe. In fact, it’s my number one job. Lockdowns occur for a variety of reasons, from the worst-case scenario to a crime in the neighborhood and a high police presence in the area. Lockdowns are serious and should always be taken as such, but they do not always involve something on campus. Yesterday, a threat was made off-site and needed to be deemed not credible before I was willing to release you to another period class.

In situations like these, we have an extensive plan: all staff are trained every year and assigned roles. Your job is to get to the nearest classroom, listen to your teacher's instructions, and take the direction they are giving you seriously. You all did that yesterday, which allowed a very short lockdown. As a mother, I understand the stress you all were under, and then your parents when they heard the school was locked down. 

If you feel something that happened yesterday could have gone better, I want to hear it. If you have any questions, I am more than happy to answer them. If you can’t find me, find a member of my office or counseling staff. We are more than happy to answer them.

We understand that situations like this can be stressful for students and families. Please know that we are here to support you. Our counselors and Wellness Center services are available for any student who may need additional support or assistance.

There are rumors going around linking last week to this week. The two are separate. In addition, there is talk of a fight and a gun being seen. There was no weapon, so that is also untrue. It is also untrue that we had an active shooter on campus.

Have a wonderful day, and know that the staff here is willing to protect you at all costs and will continue to do so.

Thanks to everyone, staff and students, for yesterday, all of you did as expected and surpassed your ability to rally together to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we remain committed to providing a safe, caring learning environment for all students.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our administration. 

Erica Renfree

erenfree@sandi.net

Nicholas Willis

nwillis@sandi.net

Richard Nash

rnash@sandi.net