LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The winter blast followed by the deep freeze this week forced schools across mid-Michigan to close for several days.

After four days off, Lansing School District students went back to class today, but many parents say they are not happy about it.

“Do you honestly think it’s appropriate to have these children out in this bitter cold?,” said Lansing parent Troy De Zess.

“We have a over half a mile walk to the bus stop,” said De Zess’s wife, Nicole De Zess.

With temperatures below zero again this morning, the De Zess’ were upset that their daughter, a student a Lansing’s Kendon Elementary had school today.

“A lot of the kids at the bus stop, they don’t have proper winter gear; I feel so bad for them, they’re down there just shivering, freezing,” said Nicole De Zess.

On top of the temps, there was a problem with buses getting to students on time.
 

Dean Transportation, the company that runs Lansing’s bus system, faced several delays this morning because of snowy roads and slow traffic, and multiple bus drivers not showing up for work.
 

The Vice President of the company, Patrick Dean, says they did everything they could to prepare for the morning school commute, but still, one route was delayed for more than an hour, and Troy De Zess thinks that’s unacceptable.

“It’s terrifying to think that these kids could get frost bite from just waiting for a bus,” said Troy De Zess.

Lansing school officials also released a statement this morning, it says in part: 
 

“The weather is getting warmer throughout the day and we know that kids will be safe in school. Every other district in Ingham County is also open. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this week.”

But Nicole De Zess says the decision was dangerous, and for her, it’s the last straw.

“We are moving. We will never go to the Lansing School District again. It has been one bad experience after another and I can’t put my daughter through this again,” said Nicole De Zess.
 

School officials say that they apologize for the trouble that this winter weather week has caused.