School pay to play

So this is my first year with pay to play. While I'm not against it at all, I don't like the way it was presented. High School: students were told to bring money the first week of practice. High School is $100, $25 of which goes for the student's activity pass. It's a deal to me, as I have a friend in the Saline district that pays $325 for each child! Now move on to Middle School, $50. Also fine, seems fair. However, my middle schooler comes home and says I need $50 for Pay to Play. I said ok and wrote a check to the school. Comes back the next day, Coach says no checks has be cash and dropped off at the office. Ok, wait, is there a reason NOTHING is coming home about how this needs to be paid? My concern is not that my child is lying, I know he's not, but how about I gave my son $50 to take to school and hopefully it won't get lost or stolen, God forbid, before he turns it in! And is there a receipt? My high schooler didn't get one. How about a little more organization admins? I mean aren't you the ones always telling the kids they need to be organized??? Just my opinion.