We've not been successful with skip either and my DD is not shorter than everyone else. They usually use organizational skills or just a general "it's not our philosophy" though I think after this year we might push alot harder this spring.

If I were you I'd keep her G/T minutes, eat lunch with the 2/3 graders and yes use it as another tool to push for grade skip. It sounds like you have a good relationship with your DD and can mentally coach her out of her being nervous, and I bet she'll be totally successful. Getting along just fine first, making new friends second.